Ministers will today set out plans to jail animal rights extremists who attempt to drive research groups and their suppliers out of business.

Trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt is unveiling details of legislation, which is designed to protect Britain’s £3 billion-a-year life sciences industry, later this morning.

Under the plans, it will be illegal to threaten or intimidate the suppliers or financial backers of animal testing businesses.

The new laws are contained in an amendment to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill which is going through Parliament.