---

Chemical Weapons: Animals

Answer

The UK is a state party to both the convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction, commonly referred to as the chemical weapons convention (CWC), and the convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and on their destruction, commonly referred to as the biological and toxin weapons convention (BTWC) or the biological weapons convention (BWC).Therefore, the UK does not hold any chemical or biological weapons. However, in accordance with the conventions, the UK does maintain small quantities of chemical and biological warfare agents for research purposes to ensure that UK forces are adequately protected in the event that chemical or biological weapons are used against them. This research includes hazard assessment, the development of protective materials and the development of medical countermeasures. The research that supports hazard assessment and the development of medical countermeasures will by necessity involve the use of animals. It is UK policy to develop safe, licensed and efficacious medical countermeasures to chemical and biological agents that may pose a hazard to the UK or deployed UK forces overseas.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

505 c811-2W; 316351

Session

2009-10

Related items

Chemical Weapons: Animals
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Written questions
House of Commons

Chemical Weapons: Animals
Monday, 22 February 2010
Written questions
House of Commons

Subjects

Animals Chemical weapons Animal experiments

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk