Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, when the phase-out of animal testing in all but exceptional circumstances will be outlined, including a proposed end date; how exceptional circumstances will be defined; and how completion of the phase-out will be assessed.

The Government’s long-term vision is to eliminate the use of animals in science in all but exceptional circumstances. The Replacing Animals in Science strategy does not include a fixed end date for the complete phase-out of animal use, as progress depends on scientific, regulatory and technological developments. The Government will not set arbitrary timelines and will instead publish timelines for specific actions and targeted replacements where scientifically justified. Animals may continue to be used where no validated alternative exists. Progress will be assessed through publicly reported delivery updates, key performance indicators and a dashboard tracking implementation of the strategy.