Submarine Research (Goats) (Hansard, 23 March 2000)

§ Dr. Moonie

[holding answer 22 March 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

617W

Letter from Sir John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 23 March 2000: I have been asked to reply to your two questions on the use of goats in DERA's submarine escape and rescue research programme. I will answer both questions in this letter. You asked whether goats that fail to respond to training for the research programme are culled. In fact, the training for the animals is very effective and no animal has ever failed to respond. Training consists of familiarising the animals with the environment where they will be used. This not only minimises the stress to the animals but also improves the quality of the research by ensuring that the research results are unaffected by additional factors such as the animals being handled by people not known to them. Your second question asked how many goats have been killed on humane grounds in the last six months. The numbers are as follows:

Date	Number of goats
1999
September	3
October	0
November	12
December	0
2000
January	8
February	7
March	0

Specialists advise that any experimental use is likely to cause some stress to animals and it is, therefore, preferable in most cases that the animals be killed humanely on completion of the experiment. This action is included in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Laboratories can, however, request to re-use animals or to retire stock to the 'field'. This is usually only permitted where the laboratory can demonstrate, with verification by a veterinary surgeon, to the Home Office that the animals have not suffered any lasting harm. Prior to re-use in the submarine escape and rescue programme the animals are all inspected by a veterinary surgeon. If an animal is found to be unfit it is humanely killed. Additionally, the veterinary surgeon, the scientists conducting the research and the Home Office have agreed limits to the experiments, based on signs of distress in the animals. If these limits are approached during the experiment the animal will be humanely killed at that point. The veterinary surgeon and the named animal care and welfare officer have unrestricted access to the experiments and can instruct the termination of an experiment at any time. I hope this is helpful.