§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr. Hancock) of 18 July,Official Report, column 344, if he will list the matters which are considered in the assessment as to whether a particular procedure should be approved under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [10695]
(2) in the case of procedures carried out for commercial gain, what criteria need to be satisfied before approval is given under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement. [10683]
§ Mr. George HowarthApplications for all project licences must satisfy the criteria set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Section 5(3) sets out the permissible purposes of the work; section 5(4) requires that the likely adverse effects to the animals concerned be weighed against the benefits likely to accrue; section 5(5) requires applicants to give adequate consideration to alternatives; and section 5(6) prohibits the use of cats, dogs, primates and equidae unless no other species is suitable or it is not practicable to obtain animals of another suitable species.
When the cost-benefit assessment required by section 5(4) is carried out, the importance of the objectives; the probability that these objectives will be achieved; the potential adverse effects to the animals involved; and the measures for reducing these adverse effects must all be taken into account. This assessment of benefit and severity is described in more detail in appendix II of the 1993 report of the Animal Procedures Committee.
I understand that, as part of its review of the operation of the Act, the Animal Procedures Committee is preparing an extended statement on the principles and operation of cost-benefit assessment.
When the benefits are assessed, the potential financial gain which may accrue from the sale of any product is not considered. Broader economic and social benefits, such as 763W cheaper or more accessible medicines or other products, or reduction in costs to the taxpayer may be taken into consideration. Animal use is often required not by the commercial organisation, but by national and international regulations which protect human safety.