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Ministry of Defence;Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Answer

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what external procedures exist to ensure that animals held at Porton Down are allowed so far as possible to follow normal behaviour patterns and that the are properly looked after. [22966] Mr. Spellar: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998: As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), I have been asked to reply to your question about the way in which animals are cared for at Porton Down. All work and housing involving animals at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down are conducted strictly in accordance with the Home Office guidelines on the care and use of animals as defined within the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which is administered by the Home Office. CBS adheres to and expands upon existing Home Office codes of practice and guidelines for the care and housing of animals involved in scientific procedures. There is an on-going programme of environmental enrichment for all species. In particular, CBD Porton has an established track record of innovative approaches to the housing of non-human primates used in scientific procedures. Inspectors from the Home Office make both announced and unannounced visits to CBD Porton and have full access to all CBD animal facilities. As part of the Act the establishment must have a named veterinary surgeon and named animal care and welfare officers. At CBD these officers have formed and internal Animal Care and Use committee. The welfare of the animals is of paramount importance to Porton Down which has a world wide reputation for its excellent standards of husbandry and breeding of laboratory animals. In addition to the statutory controls in place, the Ministry of Defence has established an independent animal welfare committee-- Animal Welfare Advisory Committee--which reviews the arrangements for animal care and welfare at sites within DERA carrying out work with animals, and advises on best practice. The reports from this independent committee are made to the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence and are published in the House of Commons Library. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

304 c413W;304 c409W; 22966

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Animal welfare Codes of practice Abuse Animals Chemical and biological warfare Defence Animal experiments Research Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Porton Down (Wiltshire)