Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what monitoring her Department conducts on the treatment of dogs bred for but not subsequently used in scientific testing.

All establishments licensed to breed or supply animals, or to carry out regulated procedures on animals under ASPA in Great Britain, are subject to the full requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). Therefore, all animals that have been intended for use in science are fully covered by the regulations under ASPA, including dogs which are bred, but subsequently not used.

The Home Office publishes guidance on the Operation of ASPA which explains how ASPA is administered and enforced (www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-on-the-operation-of-the-animals-scientific-procedures-act-1986).

A published Code of Practice also provides minimum requirements for the care and accommodation of animals used in science, including dogs.

To provide assurance of compliance with the Regulations, the Regulator provides clear and accessible guidance and conducts regular on-site audits. The published framework for audit is based on clear benchmarks and assessing compliance through organisational governance to encourage greater commitment to compliance. Both announced and unannounced site visits are undertaken within a risk- based framework to assure compliance and inspect the welfare, health, and environment of animals at any establishment.