B&K Universal: Marshall BioResources’ East Yorkshire Facility
B&K Universal Group Ltd is a Marshall BioResources facility based in Grimston, East Yorkshire. Like MBR Acres in Cambridgeshire, B&K Universal breeds dogs and other animals for use in laboratory testing. It is the second of the only two commercial dog breeding sites for UK laboratories.
Why B&K Universal Matters to the Campaign
Camp Beagle’s campaign is directed at ending commercial beagle breeding for UK laboratories entirely. MBR Acres and B&K Universal are the only two facilities supplying the UK laboratory industry with purpose-bred dogs. Closing both MBR Acres and B&K Universal would end commercial beagle breeding for UK laboratories completely. Closing one without the other would leave the industry with a remaining supplier.
The campaign therefore highlights both facilities, and calls for the closure of both and the safe rehoming of all animals currently held at each site.
The Ghislaine Rondot Connection
According to Companies House records, Ghislaine Rondot — one of three Marshall BioResources executives convicted of animal cruelty by the Court of Brescia, Italy, in January 2015 — served as a director of B&K Universal Group Ltd until 30 June 2015. This means that the same individual convicted of animal cruelty in Italy in respect of a Marshall BioResources facility was simultaneously a director of the UK sister site.
The Italian Supreme Court upheld those convictions on 4 October 2017. For full details, see the Italy Story page.
The Complete Picture
Any meaningful solution to the problem of commercial beagle breeding for UK laboratories must address both MBR Acres and B&K Universal. Camp Beagle calls on the Home Office to revoke the licences of both facilities and require the safe rehoming of all dogs currently held there.
Frequently Asked Questions About B&K Universal
What is B&K Universal?
B&K Universal Group Ltd is a Marshall BioResources facility based in Grimston, East Yorkshire. It breeds dogs and other animals for use in laboratory testing and is one of only two commercial dog breeding sites supplying UK laboratories — the other being MBR Acres in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
Why does closing MBR Acres alone not solve the problem?
Because B&K Universal in East Yorkshire would continue to breed dogs for UK laboratories. MBR Acres and B&K Universal are the only two commercial dog breeding facilities supplying the UK laboratory industry. Closing both would end commercial beagle breeding for UK laboratories entirely. The campaign calls for the closure of both facilities.
Was a convicted executive linked to B&K Universal?
Yes. Companies House records show that Ghislaine Rondot, who was convicted of animal cruelty by the Court of Brescia in Italy in January 2015 in connection with Marshall BioResources’ Green Hill facility, was simultaneously a director of B&K Universal Group Ltd until 30 June 2015. The Italian Supreme Court upheld the conviction on 4 October 2017.