Policy Issues

Evidence-based policy

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, Lynne Featherstone, advanced an animal research policy based on evidence in a Commons debate on Wednesday 7 December.

Information tribunal rules for both sides

As anyone who reads it will see, a recent (11 November) Freedom of Information ruling falls some way short of the 'landmark decision' claimed by BUAV.

Lords again affirm support for animal research

Several peers confirmed their belief in the need for animal research in biomedical research, during a debate in the House of Lords yesterday (24 October 2011).

Lords affirm support for animal research

Members of the House of Lords on Tuesday affirmed their support for 'proper and appropriate' use of animals in medical research.

UK Bioscience Coalition position on the European Directive on animal research

Animal research is vitally important in science and medicine.

Coalition pledge on household product testing

This month’s awaited pledge by the coalition government to end household product testing on animals has been welcomed by the UK research community.

UK research using monkeys 'outstanding'

A report published today, called Review of research using non-human primates, recommends that scientific research on monkeys should continue in the UK, subject to rigorous safeguards.

Animals containing human material

What are 'animals containing human material' (ACHM) and why the sudden interest in them?

UK animal procedures up by 3% in 2010

The UK Home Office has released figures showing that the number of research procedures using animals last year increased by 3% to just over 3.7 million.

New regulations will boost good science, promote animal welfare

New animal research regulations from Europe will enhance the welfare of animals, facilitate modern science and cut through excessive red tape.

European medical science group states position on new law

The medical science group within the European Science Forum (ESF-EMRC) has produced a position paper on the new Directive on the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Procedures.

World-leading research institute gets go-ahead

We are pleased to report that planning permission was granted last week for a new world-leading biomedical research institute in London.

Freedom of Information - judgement on confidentiality clause at a university

Recently, a tribunal ruled that under the Freedom of Information Act a university can be said to 'hold' project licences (irrespective of how they are actually stored at the university) and that section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) would not prevent disclosure of information from the project licences.

Infiltration: most allegations unfounded

Understanding Animal Research today (Tuesday 30 November) welcomed a report from the Home Office addressing claims by an animal rights group about animal research and testing at a UK facility in 2009.

New European law marks dawn of a new era

The new European Directive 2010/63/EU on animal experimentation has been finalised.