Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to review the use of dogs as a second species for the purpose of regulatory toxicity testing; and if he will make a statement.

There are currently no plans to review the use of dogs as a second species for regulatory toxicity testing.

Dogs are a specially protected species under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Home Office will only grant a project licence for a programme of work using dogs where the purpose of the programme of work specified in the licence can only be achieved by their use, or where it is not practicable to obtain other suitable animals.