Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Government's long-term strategy is for phasing out the use of animals in scientific procedures as non-animal technologies are further developed; and if she will publish that strategy.

It is too soon to impose a timetable on phasing out the use of animals of animals in those areas of scientific enquiry that are delivering benefits to people, animals and the environment.

The UK’s rigorous regulatory system requires that no animal testing takes place if there is a validated non-animal alternative that would achieve the scientific outcomes sought. Prior to any work being authorised, project licence proposals for research on animals for which there is no non-animal alternative must comply fully with the principles of the 3Rs: replacement, reduction and refinement.