§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were used in bio-medical research in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; what restrictions he applies on their use; and if he will make a statement. [120395]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAnimals are used only in scientific procedures where fully justified, for example in medical research to prevent disease or reduce illnesses for people or other animals; also, where there are no valid alternatives and where the benefits outweigh the costs to the animals involved.
The commentary in the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 1998" records the number of procedures or experiments conducted each year since 1946. These figures cover all scientific procedures involving the use of protected animals and do not separately identify those relating to biomedical research. The figures for the years requested are:
Year Million 1970 5.7 1980 4.3 1990 3.2 1998 2.6 Although there have been a few years when small rises were recorded, including 1998, there has been a steady decrease in the number of procedures performed since 1970. This reflects advances in science that have allowed the replacement of animals in scientific procedures, the reduction of the numbers of animals used per procedure and the refinement of those procedures. This Government's decisions to end some categories of animal use, such as cosmetic testing, have also made a contribution. More recently, there has also been a downward trend in the use of conventional animals, offset by an increase in the use of genetically modified animals. These trends also reflect recent scientific advances.
Figures for 1999 are due to be published in July.