Open and
transparent regulation:
Publication of the latest statistics on animal research and the
Animal Scientific Procedures Inspectorate Annual Report 2008
Annual statistics on the use of animals in scientific research
have been published by the Home Office today.
The "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living
Animals 2008” is compiled from returns provided by project licence
holders covering scientific procedures performed using living
animals subject to the provisions of the Animals (Scientific
Procedures) Act 1986. The latest figures show:
* The number of procedures started in 2008 was just under 3.7
million, a rise of approximately 14 per cent (454,000) on 2007.
This was largely due to the increase in essential biological
research, applied studies and breeding for the production of
genetically altered animals;
* The large majority of procedures – 77 per cent – used mice,
rats and other rodents;
* Dogs, cats, horses and non-human primates were used in less
than 1 per cent of the procedures;
* The number of procedures using dogs fell by 1,400 (-18 per
cent). The number of procedures using cats was 360, an increase of
50, the majority of which were (as previously) for veterinary studies;
* The number of procedures using new-world primates fell by 410
(-53 per cent), part of a downward trend since 1999 and
corresponding to 350 fewer animals used. The number of procedures
using old-world primates rose by 1050 (+33 per cent), and
corresponded to an increase of 580 animals used.
The UK is widely regarded as having one of the most rigorous
systems of animal protection in the world. The Animals (Scientific
Procedures) Act 1986 regulates the use of animals in scientific
experiments and ensures their use is limited to procedures where
there is a clear potential benefit to people, animals or the
environment; and when there is no means of obtaining these
benefits without animal use, or at a lesser animal welfare cost.
Home Office Minister Lord West said:
"We are proud to have one of the highest standards of
animal protection in the world and we are determined to keep it
that way.
“Today’s statistics show an increase in the number of procedures
being undertaken, and the overall level of scientific procedures
is determined by a number of factors, including the economic
climate and global trends in scientific endeavour. It is important
to stress that in accordance with the Animals (Scientific
Procedures) Act 1986 the use of animals for scientific purposes
can only be authorised when it is the only option and can be shown
to be justified.
“As the regulator we ensure that a proper balance between animal
welfare and scientific advancement is maintained; and that the
regulatory system is effective, efficient and impartial.
"Advances with non-animal test methods continue to be
made, but at present licensed animal use remains essential to
develop improved health-care technologies.”
For the first time this year the Home Office has published a
joint “Animals (Scientific Procedures) Division (ASPD) and
Inspectorate (ASPI) Annual Report 2008”. The report provides a
collective account of many of the ‘behind-the-scenes’ activities
of the Home Office staff who regulate this work.
The ASPD operates the licensing system on behalf of the
Secretary of State and provides policy advice and support, whilst
the statutory role of the ASPI is to advise on proposals for work
under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and to monitor
compliance with authorities under that Act.
During 2008 the combined efforts of the Division and
Inspectorate:
* Provided advice on 695 project licence applications, 2,865
personal licence applications, two applications for certificates
to designate establishments for scientific work, and 5,940
requests for amendments to licences and certificates;
* Carried out 2,088 (mainly unannounced) visits to places where
scientific work on animals was conducted;
* Spent 5,783 hours on site conducting inspections and advising
on the use of animals in research.
All scientists and researchers undertaking animal research in the
UK are required to take into account the '3Rs'
(measures to replace, reduce, and refine animal use) when devising
their programmes of research proposals. Furthermore the Secretary
of State may not authorise animal use when the scientific
objectives can be met by means not using animals; and, when work
is licensed, all reasonable steps must be taken to minimise the
numbers of animals used and any suffering likely to be caused.
In 2004 the Government established the National Centre for the
3Rs to provide a focal point and resources for such activities.
Last November the European Commission published its proposal to
revise Directive 86/609/EEC in order to strengthen and harmonise
the regulation of the use of animals used in scientific
experiments across Europe.
To help shape the UK’s formal negotiating position the Home
Office recently launched an eight week public consultation, which
closed on the 3 July, seeking views on the Commission's
proposal. A summary of the responses will be published on the Home
Office website shortly.
Notes to editors:
1. The statistical report is published by Home Office as part of
the National Statistics programme of work, subject to the Code of
Practice for Official Statistics under the Statistics and
Registration Act 2007. The main points of the statistical report,
and a link to the report and supplementary information is on the
Home Office website and can be found at: http://scienceandresearch.homeoffice.gov.uk/animal-research/publications-and-reference/statistics/
2. Abstracts of project licences can be found at: http://scienceandresearch.homeoffice.gov.uk/animal-research/publications-and-reference/001-abstracts/
3. The Government announced the establishment of a
National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of
Animals in Research on 21 May 2004 (Home Office press notice
195/2004). More information can be found from its website at: www.nc3rs.org.uk
4. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate (ASPI) is
part of the Animals Scientific Procedures Division within the Home
Office. ASPI Inspectors are employed as civil servants to provide
technical advice to the Home Secretary and to the ASPD officials
who operate the licensing system and provide policy advice to
Ministers. They also maintain a programme of inspections of work
carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and
inspect the facilities where animals for this work are bred and used.
5. In November 2008 the European Commission published its
proposal to replace Directive 86/609/EEC and this can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/lab_animals/proposal_en.htm
6. The eight week public consultation on the European
Commission's proposal for a new Directive to strengthen
the protection of animals used in scientific experiments closed on
3 July 2009. The consultation paper can be found on the Home
Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/haveyoursay/current-consultations/
140/2009
Contacts:
Home Office Press Office
Phone: 020 7035 3535
NDS.HO@coi.gsi.gov.uk