Statement on counter-terrorism document

The Guardian has discovered that Animal Aid, alongside a number of other peaceful organisations, has been listed in a document issued as part of anti-terrorism guidance.

Below is our statement about this:

‘We are profoundly shocked to see our organisation listed in this way. Animal Aid is a completely peaceful organisation, with a strict policy of non-violence. We have campaigned peacefully against animal cruelty for more than 40 years, so to see our compassionate organisation listed alongside neo-Nazi and terrorist groups is absolutely soul-destroying. What could be less extreme than our campaigning peacefully for a cruelty-free world, where animals are allowed to live out their lives without being exploited or killed?

 ‘The inclusion of Animal Aid in this guidance, alongside other peaceful organisations, shows a fundamental lack of understanding of animal protection campaigning. It is imperative that this damaging document is immediately withdrawn, and its content completely overhauled so that peaceful, progressive groups are not included within it. The authorities should focus their efforts on genuine threats to national security, not peaceful campaigners who are simply trying to create a kinder world.’