§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what controls are currently imposed on the supply of dogs and cats for research purposes ;
(2) when the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in respect of the supply of cats and dogs will he brought into force.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe controls on the source of commonly used laboratory animals, including cats and dogs, which are contained in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will be brought into force in January 1990, as part of a phased programme of implementation of the provisions of the Act.
It has long been the practice of Home Office inspectors to encourage laboratories to obtain supplies of animals only from reputable and legal sources and to take particular care where cats and dogs are involved. This will continue until the new controls come into force.