Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 5 February 2010. It was answered by Lord Davies of Stamford (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 February 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Explosives: Animals

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals have been used in tests involving explosives (a) conducted and (b) commissioned by his Department in each of the last five years.

Answer: Dstl Porton Down undertakes the MOD research programme that involves the use of animals. In accordance with UK legislation all of the research projects that involve animals are reviewed and licenced by the Home Office and annual returns are submitted to the Home Office detailing the number of procedures undertaken which involve the use of animals as defined in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.In the last five years 119 pigs have been used in MOD research studies involving explosives; this is broken down as none in 2005, 25 in 2006, 19 in 2007, 40 in 2008 and 35 in 2009.These research studies involving explosives have followed up on identified problems with prolonged pre-hospital. resuscitation following blast injury. The studies have included evaluation of the whole body trauma caused by various blast explosive injury in order to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of improved post-traumatic methodology. This research has led to significant advances in post-traumatic techniques such as reducing blood loss from major trauma and has saved many lives in the theatres of Iraq and Afghanistan. The advances made due to this research can be utilised both in theatre and civilian scenarios particularly if there are mass casualties and evacuation to hospital is delayed. This is one of the reasons why Dstl research involving the use of animals is published in the open literature where possible.

Secondary information