The Daily Telegraph (London) reported today that Novartis chief executive officer Dan Vasella said that his company would find it difficult to expand its efforts in Great Britain so long as animal rights terrorism remains a serious problem in the UK.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Vasella said animal rights extremism was a big concern to Novartis,
We would hesitate to increase our exposure to it. It’s a very serious matter. It’s a big issue — big for the UK. It isn’t just hurting the industry, it is hurting the country. It is a big deterrent when you are considering site locations.
Like other observers, Vasella seems skeptical that new regulations and laws have done much to deter animal rights extremism. “While we appreciate what the UK Government does against this form of terrorism,” Vasella said, “it does not appear to be enough as there still are incidents.”
Source:
Novartis shies from animal activists: The Swiss drugs giant hesitates on UK investment due to animal rights ‘terrorists’. Rosie Murray-West, The Daily Telegraph (London), May 1, 2002.