Don't let the government take a step back for lab animals

13.06.11

We are calling on the public to help stop the government from taking a step back for animal welfare by weakening controls on animal experiments.

The government today (Monday, 13 June) launched a consultation to seek views from the public about how it should implement a new European Union (EU) directive on laboratory animal use, which it has to do by 1 January 2013.

We fear that the government intends to use this 'transposition' process to systematically dismantle the current regulations on animal experiments in the UK, which are widely seen to work well.

Thousands of lab animals may suffer if UK law is weakened 

Worringly, the directive falls short of what we already have in many areas and this could leave thousands of animals vulnerable.

If the UK were to choose to amend its own regulations in line with only the minimum requirements of the directive, it could mean some animals may be allowed to suffer long-lasting 'severe' pain, suffering or distress, and inhumane methods of killing animals may also be permitted.

Space allowances for some animals, such as dogs, could be reduced. There could also be a 90 per cent reduction in laboratory inspections by the Home Office, with the result that some facilities could go for years without being inspected.

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Dr Maggy Jennings, head of our research animals department, said:

Successive governments have made proud claims that the UK has 'the highest standards in the world' for animal research and testing. Now they seem prepared to weaken this legislation and take a step backwards on lab animal welfare. This is unacceptable, especially if it's just considered an 'easy' way for the government to save money.

We urge the government to respect public concern on this issue and, at the very least, maintain the level of regulation that we currently have. If they don't, animal welfare, public confidence and ultimately UK science will suffer.

We need as many people as possible to support the RSPCA's campaign against weakening UK standards.

Anyone who wants to help can register on Give animals a voice and we’ll be in touch in coming weeks to let you know what you can do.

About the new directive

Known as 2010/63/EU, the new directive will regulate the way laboratory animals are used and cared for in experiments throughout the EU's 27 member states.
 

The directive is a compromise which takes into account some countries having very limited regulations on animal experiments. It will be an improvement for these member states, but could result in some deeply worrying reductions in UK standards.

We fear that if the directive is implemented to the letter in the UK, it will lead to greater 'self-regulation' of animal use by the scientific community and the watering down of the local ethical review process in each establishment. This is despite the significant contribution these local ethics committees have made to reducing animal use and improving welfare over the past decade.

Maggy said:

The government has the freedom to maintain UK standards. Worryingly, we are not seeing convincing evidence that they are prepared to do so.

This is not acceptable.

Take action

Sign up to receive our campaign updates at www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk and we'll keep you updated on the government consultation and how you can take action.

Read more about our work to help laboratory animals and our campaign against weakening UK lab animal law.