Oral answer to question provided on Tuesday, 20 March 2012 in the House of Lords, by Lord De Mauley (Conservative).

Medical Research

Answer: My Lords, the Government have been actively working with the life sciences community and the transportation sector to broker a commercial solution to provide a sustainable and resilient supply chain. A cross-Whitehall group has been working since January, under the guidance of the Cabinet Office, driving this work forward and exploring shorter term contingency measures which the life sciences sector would be able to initiate itself if necessary. The Government understand the position of the transportation sector and will continue working to secure a way forward that ensures the highest standards in animal transportation and the continuing success of scientific research in the United Kingdom.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Tuesday, 20 March 2012 by Lord Taverne (Liberal Democrat).

Question: Lord Taverne to ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the refusal of some ferry companies and airlines to carry live animals for medical research, what steps they are taking to protect such research.

Secondary information