What is the UK law on animal research?

Laboratory inspector

 

 

 

 

 

The UK laws on animal research, set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA) 1986, are the toughest in the world. There are strict rules about what scientists can and cannot do and there is a special group of inspectors who make sure that they stick by the rules.

Ethical review

All animal research needs to be licensed (see the next section for details). Before you can apply for a licence, though, you must go through an 'ethical review'.

This review looks at possible alternatives to using animals and makes sure that the science is really necessary and that it justifies using animals. Ethical reviews must involve the Named Veterinary Surgeon (who will look after the animals used in the procedure) the Named Animal Welfare Officer (whose job is to keep an eye on the welfare off the animals in a particular licensed animal unit). In many cases ethical reviews also involve members of the public to make sure that all opinions are listened to.

Licences

Every piece of animal research needs a licence from the Home Office. In fact, they need three licences, because the laboratory itself and the scientists doing the research each need a licence before they can even apply for a 'project licence' for a particular piece of work.

Each year the Home Office publishes details of all the project licences it has awarded. These explain which animals are being used for which type of scientific research everywhere in the UK.

Click here if you would like more details of each of the different licences and what you need to do to get them.

Inspection

All animal research inspectors must have medical or veterinary qualifications. They can go into any licensed animal research facility in the UK at any time without warning. If they find any breach of the rules they have to report it and their annual report includes all the details.

Breaking the rules for animal research is very serious and you can go to prison for it. It is an offence to do any animal research without a proper licence.

Leaflet How is animal research regulated?

 

Click here for more about regulation of animal research in the UK, or download our leaflet How is animal research regulated?


 

 

 

Print this page