Thank you for contacting me about animal testing.
The use of animals in science, including toxicity testing, is a sensitive issue. I am pleased that the UK is one of the world's leading nations in the development of non-animal methods with the ambition to reach the point at which animal research and testing is no longer necessary and are fully replaced by effective alternatives. The Government will be publishing a plan to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of technologies and methods to reduce the reliance of animals in science later this year.
I fully support the Government’s approach to support and accelerate advances in biomedical science and technology to reduce reliance on the use of animals in research. This is done by actively supporting and funding the development and dissemination of the three Rs which aim to replace the use of animals not necessary for research; to reduce the use of animals in the meantime; and to refine to eliminate or reduce distress to those animals already involved. This is primarily delivered through the National Centre for 3Rs (the NC3Rs) and since it was established, the NC3Rs has invested £89.3 million in research and £27 million in contracts through its CRACK IT Challenges innovation scheme for UK and EU based institutions. Much of that funding focuses on approaches for safer assessment of pharmaceuticals. The Science Minister announced in February 2024 that the Government’s investment to the NC3Rs was to double from £10 million per year to £20 million per year.
There has been a recent Westminster hall Debate on Animal Testing during this debate, during which Minister Griffith reinforced the points I made above, he also stated:
“The Government are supporting and accelerating advances in biomedical science and technology to reduce reliance on the use of animals in research. When we hear data points about the percentage of research money that is spent, it is important to remember that not all of that research is clearly labelled as non-animal research. Developments in respect of artificial intelligence, cell cultures, cell research, understanding the function of human organs, and better imaging can all contribute to the advance of non-animal methods that can be put to work in this space.”
You can read the transcribed of the entire debate here: Animal Testing - Hansard - UK Parliament
I hope that this helps to reassure you that the law requires that animals are only used in science where there are no alternatives, where the number of animals used, and potential harm is the minimum needed to achieve scientific benefit.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
