'The NAVS condemns the rise in UK animal experiments'

13 July 2011

Research should be 'Cutting Edge, Not Knife Edge'

Today, the Home Office published the annual "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals" for 2010. The results show that there was an increase in the number of animals in the UK by 101,265 (3%) to 3,642,517, compared to 3,541,252 in 2009. There has also been an increase in the number of procedures by 105,186 (3%) to 3,724,726 compared to 3,619,540 in 2009.

The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) has researched the figures and discovered that – the number of procedures in new world monkeys has gone from 619 to 1,103 - a shocking increase of 78%.

Jan Creamer, Chief Executive of the NAVS said: "It is a national disgrace that the UK animal testing figures have increased for 2010 and the Home Office should be ashamed of itself. There has been a huge increase in the use of new world primates, while the Home Office has pursued a relaxation of controls to make it easier and quicker to get a licence to use animals. For example, GM animal use has increased by almost 6% and the number of animals used in fundamental research has increased by 10%. We find it disgraceful that while the rest of Europe decreases its primate testing, as shown the last EU statistics the UK carries on regardless, and in some instances is even increasing animal use."

As part of the Government review is a public consultation process, which commenced in June and will be completed in September. The NAVS has launched a nationwide awareness drive to engage the public in this critical process.

Tim Phillips, Campaigns Director for the NAVS said: "It is a disgrace that in this age of sophisticated alternatives to animal use, and grave public concern over animal research that Government has allowed animal research to continue to rise in the UK.

"The public consultation offers a chance for members of the public to voice their opinion on the subject of animal testing and pressure the Government to do the right thing for animal protection and welfare.

"We therefore urge everyone to take part in this consultation by visiting the Home Office website or in writing to make your feelings known. Let's give all of the millions of animals currently languishing in research laboratories the length and breadth of the country the voice that they so desperately need and deserve, and make a stand for their protection."

To ensure you have your say go to: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/transposition-protection-animals/or write to Animals scientific Procedures Division, Home Office, 4th floor, south-west Seacole building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF, email: aspd-brp@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

When responding please state whether you are responding as an individual or whether you are representing the views of an organisation. If responding on behalf of an organisation, please make it clear who the organisation represents and, where applicable, how the views of members were assembled. The consultation closing date is 5th September 2011.

The deadline for transposition is November 2012 and all Member States will have to apply the provisions as of 1st January 2013.

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