Oxford University is to sell its controversial animal breeding centre.
Park Farm, in Northmoor, near Witney, has been the target of animal rights protests along with Hillgrove Farm at Minster Lovell, near Witney.
Pigs, dogs, guinea pigs and monkeys were kept at the farm and bred for experimentation by the University's medical departments.
A University spokesman denied the closure was due to pressure from animal rights activists and said: "The University has decided to sell Park Farm as part of an overall review and rationalisation of facilities. "The University is not changing the profile of its academic research, although it continues to reduce the use of animals wherever practical."
The facility has yet to go on the market and the University has not released an asking price.
In 1991, 234 animals were released from the farm by the Animal Liberation Front causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage. A spokesman for the group said at the time: "If we can save one animal from death, pain or suffering it is worthwhile."
Another 35 beagle bitches were also released from exercise pens in 1989. The Animal Liberation Front claimed they were used in painful experiments but the University said that they were only used for breeding.
Story date: Tuesday 11 May
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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