Animal Testing - time for abolition?
Scientists use beagles for testing due to their calm and gentle nature.
Yesterday saw a rarity take place in the hallowed halls of our government buildings - brave politicians stood up for the rights of animals.
At a debate in Westminster Hall brought about by 2 e-petitions signed by 140k concerned members of the public, Elliot Colburn, (MP Carshalton and Wallington) made the case that more investment is needed by the UK government into alternatives to animal testing. He and his colleagues (Wera Hobhouse, MP Bath; Tracey Crouch, MP Chatham and Aylesford; Chi Onwurah, Newcastle MP; Virginia Crosbie, MP Ynys Môn; Dr Lisa Cameron, MP East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow; Kerry McCarthy, MP Bristol East and Patricia Gibson, MP North Ayrshire and Arran) all advocate for funding alongside a set of regulations which are robust enough to have an immediate impact on the numbers of animals being used for testing - something our current systems dearly lack. That the UK regularly test on primates and beagles for medical and toxicity testing makes us one of the most prolific users of live animals for this kind of testing and one of the top 10 countries in the world doing this cruel and unnecessary research.
They also suggested a non-animal science innovation hub which would suit the need of the next generation of scientists who have a vested interest in protecting nature and ethics.
As such 2.76m live animals were tested on in 2022 in the UK despite the availability of better, more effective tests and the advice from the government that they are not as efficacious as in vitro testing.
The Conservative MP took the concerns of the MPs in attendance and their points on board to such an extent that he admitted:
Regulation needs an overhaul and it feels like we have allowed animal testing to fall in the gap between DEFRA and the UKRI Science
What is needed is Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of the use of animals in testing. (The 3 Rs).
And also made some welcome promises:
To increase the fees and review the duration of the licenses needed to use animals rather than a levy on each being used (put forward as a suggestion), to intervene in the decision-making of those contemplating animal testing - creating a financial penalty and incentive to seek alternative methods.
Restarting the chronological survey to discover the feelings of the British public on animal testing.
And the big one, they have promised to DOUBLE their investment in research in the 3R’s from £10m per year to £20m in 2024/5 fiscal year.
Andrew Griffiths MP, delivered the news and was challenged by George Eustice, MP that severe action was needed to redress the areas where the rules were being implemented by overworked and under-resourced government departments. His response was that he and Lord Sharp (Home Office minister) would review the machinations of government together which aren’t fit for purpose for protecting against cruelty to animals (assuming the evidence brought forward in the house to be true), whilst consulting those in industry before publication of a plan to accelerate the development validation to reduce the use of animals in science. Expect to see that in the summer of 2024.
All in all, an excellent outcome and great to see industry leaders like LUSH and XCellR8 get the recognition and credit they deserve for leading the way thus far! And kudos to Will Young for showing up to give the necessary star power to this important debate and petition. The AYES HAVE IT!
Check out the whole debate below:
https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/facbbfd0-29e5-4cbb-92fe-aa326b45bde6