HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc743-5W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the revocation of the certificate of designation at Huntingdon Life Sciences involves both the company's sites; [12307]

(2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newark (Ms Jones) of 24 July, Official Report, column 680, if the baboons at Huntingdon Life Sciences are wild caught; [12465]

(3) how many project licences have been revoked at Huntingdon Life Sciences as a result of the Home Office investigation; [12296]

(4) what problems relating to the care, treatment and handling of animals at Huntingdon Life Sciences were found in animal departments other than the dog toxicology unit as a result of his Department's investigation. [12464]

Mr. George Howarth

I have written to the hon. Member.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newark (Ms Jones) of 24 July, Official Report, column 68, what are the 16 stringent conditions his Department has set Huntingdon Life Sciences. [12466]

Mr. Howarth

The 16 conditions were:

  1. (i) That a report be submitted to the Home Office setting out what changes have been introduced to the line management for and the responsibilities of the proposed certificate holder, to ensure that these arrangements do not compromise animal welfare.
  2. (ii) That the applicant for a new certificate of designation has successfully completed module 1 of a Home Office accredited training course.
  3. (iii) That summary findings of the Department of Health good laboratory practice scrutiny be disclosed by the establishment to the Home Office with confirmation that any process problems have been corrected.
  4. (iv) That a written submission be made outlining how each of the standard conditions attached to all certificates of designation would be effectively and fully implemented.
  5. (v) That adequate provision has been made for regular and effective means of communication between those entrusted with responsibilities under the Act.
  6. (vi) That the applicant be required to satisfy the Home Office that line management arrangements for all animal care staff are effective. Specifically:
    1. (a) that line managers are qualified by experience or training and informed of their responsibilities and the need for welfare related problems to be notified to an appropriate level within the company;
    2. (b) that only trained and competent staff are entrusted with responsibility for the care and welfare of animals;
    3. (c) that measures are in place to ensure that the certificate holder will be properly informed of conditions and practices within the designated areas.
  7. (vii) That the applicant demonstrates that the staff appraisal reporting system for animal care staff ensures that concerns relating to animal welfare are properly identified and resolved and makes provision for periodic assessment that basic competencies have been maintained.
  8. (viii) That the applicant supplies the Home Office with a general "process map" with overviews of the methods and resources to be used to ensure that reduction, refinement and replacement are adequately addressed in the design of animal studies performed at the establishment.
  9. (ix) That, for new studies, a system is in place which ensures that adequate numbers of appropriately trained and licensed technical staff will be available.
  10. (x) That a system is established to determine the nature, frequency and duration of visits by the named veterinary surgeon to the designated areas.
  11. (xi) That a suitable named person for the dog facility is nominated.
  12. (xii) That the applicant submits an enforceable code of conduct for the control of dogs, coupled with an effective means of reporting misconduct to an appropriate level within the organisation. This should be accompanied by evidence that all dog unit animal care staff have received appropriate training.
  13. (xiii) That the applicant demonstrates that systems are in place to ensure that staff training in the handling and care of dogs ensures that structured training is delivered, that competence is demonstrably assessed and that only competent persons are entrusted with responsibility for animals' health and welfare.
    14. 745
  14. (xiv) That the applicant submits standard operating procedures and protocols for the dog facilities relating to the housing, husbandry, care, restraint and performance of regulated procedures, with evidence that staff have successfully completed appropriate, structured training. This should include:
    1. (a) a protocol for the group exercising of dogs which specifies the minimum daily exercise period per dog, defines the minimum amount of staff time to be used to socialise with the dogs and identifies the type of area provided for the exercise to take place:
    2. (b) protocols for the restraint of dogs to enable intravenous dosing and sampling and the proper production of haemostasis thereafter. Evidence should be supplied that animal care staff have been appropriately trained or re-trained.
  15. (xv) That the company has determined by internal benchmarking the principles which will determine and minimise the daily period for which pair-housed dogs will be held singly.
  16. (xvi) That the applicant details any other measures which have or will be taken to provide environmental enrichment and a better quality of life for animals.

The company has now met these conditions and a new certificate of designation was issued on 29 September.