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The UK Home Office\u2019s withdrawal of support for drug safety testing at festivals has been labelled \u201cdangerously irresponsible\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sacha Lord, the co-founder of Parklife festival, and Melvin Benn, the managing director of Festival Republic, are among those to speak out after Home Office officials blocked testing organisation The Loop from carrying out its on-site work at Parklife unless it obtained a special licence.<\/p>\n
Lord, who is also Manchester\u2019s nightlife economy adviser to Mayor Andy Burnham, said the tests, which have been carried out since 2014, enable organisers to warn attendees of any specific dangers. Lord believes the change in the Home Office\u2019s stance will put people at risk throughout the festival season.<\/p>\n
According to festival organisers, it can take more than three months to arrange for a Home Office licence to be granted, and it can cost over \u00a33,000.<\/p>\n
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), called for the Home Office decision to be reversed.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe directive from the Home Office to withdraw back of house drug safety testing at Parklife festival on one of the hottest days of the year was dangerously irresponsible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2018 the Home Office was clear that it \u201cwould not stand in the way of drug testing at festivals and clubs\u201d as part of the proactive harm reduction strategy, witnessed by MP\u2019s and supported by several Police forces including Avon & Somerset and Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecent communication would suggest an unexplained U turn, setting a dangerous precedent, which will have considerable ramifications for the current festival season, and a potential to put people\u2019s lives at risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are calling for the Home Office to reverse its move to block on site back of house drug testing at festivals this season and to give clarity on the legislative framework around testing.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Home Office said that it would advise drug testing organisations to seek licences.<\/p>\n