The UK government has taken several steps back in its drug testing at festivals adding the hurdle of a license to set up testing facilities on site.
According to The Guardian, UK’s Home Office has begun requiring festivals to apply for a special license to set up on-site testing, which reportedly could take up to three months to be approved.
And for those saying these requirements shouldn’t affect festivals, Parklife was already unable to set up on-site testing this past weekend for the first time in nine years.
Last year, testing organization The Loop identified at least eight MDMA pills at Parklife that were deemed dangerous for their high strength and in response sent out an alert on their hazards.
Speaking to The Guardian, Festival Republic’s Managing Director Melvin Benn said, “Events at this year’s Parklife are extremely worrying for everyone in the industry, and even more importantly festivalgoers. If festival organizers fear their safeguarding measures will be pulled at the 11th hour, then how can we guarantee the wellbeing of our guests?”
The newly required license also casts doubt on whether testing will be able to take place at bigger festivals this summer such as Reading, Glastonbury, and Creamfields as they may not have the three month window to acquire proper documentation.
Featured image courtesy of The Loop at BoomTown Fair
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