The Government has imposed further curbs on the use of animals in scientific experiments (our Lobby correspondent writes). Licences for animal tests for skin corrosivity and phototoxic potential will in future no longer be granted as there are now statutory alternatives. And a cross-Whitehall concordat on data sharing should enable Government Departments to reduce the duplication of tests.
The moves were announced by the Home Office as new figures show that the number of animal tests dipped slightly last year to almost 2.66m. With the exception of 1997, that was the lowest figure since 1955.
Pharmaceutical research and development is the largest single category in which animals were used (23 per cent), while immunology and cancer represented around 15 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.
Lord Bassam (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State) said that the Government is committed to replacing animal use wherever possible, reducing the number of animals needed for particular tests and refining procedures to minimise suffering.
He added: "Animal procedures are fundamental to the progress and advancement of medical, veterinary and other scientific research and play an essential role in assessing the safety of new chemicals and products to humans, animals and the environment."