Policy On The Use Of Animals In Research
Introduction
The use of protected animals in research is authorised by the Home Office under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Act requires the licensing of any experiment or other scientific procedures carried out on living animals, covered by the Act, which may cause them pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Licences under the Act are issued by the Home Office. They may only be issued if the potential benefits of undertaking the research outweigh the likely adverse effects to the animals concerned. In all cases, researchers must justify the need for proposed animal research and demonstrate that no reasonably practical alternative not involving animals exists.
Although the Home Office take the lead in this area, Defra is responsible for Government policy on animal and fish health and welfare in relation to UK farming practices and provides the Secretariat for the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC). This important role is covered by Objective 6 of Defra's Aims and Objectives, which specifically covers animal welfare, as follows:
"To protect the public's interest in relation to environmental impacts and health, and ensure high standards of animal health and welfare."
A copy of the full policy statement is available
here (PDF, 24kb) 
- it covers :-
- The Defra Research Programme
- The Use of Animals in Research
- The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
- Alternatives to Using Animals and Data Sharing
- The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC).
- Defra R&D not covered by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
- Experiments and sampling of wild animals.
- Genetic Modification in animal research
- Defra Scientific Agencies
- Ethical Review Process
Page last modified: 19 January 2005
Page published: 19 January 2005