Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 29 June 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 July 1999. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Monday, 5 July 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the use of beagles in animal experimentation. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of beagles in animal experimentation. [89450] Mr. George Howarth: Animals can be used in scientific procedures only where the benefits to humans, other animals or the environment outweigh the costs to the animals involved and where there are no suitable alternatives. Dogs (along with cats, primates and equidae) can be used only if animals of no other species are suitable or if it is not practicable to obtain animals of a suitable species. Unless otherwise authorised, only dogs acquired from designated breeding establishments can be used in scientific procedures. In 1997, 7,490 scientific procedures were carried out on dogs (less than 0.3 per cent. of all procedures) of which 7,240 involved beagles. Of the 7,490 total, 4,581 were for assessing the safety or efficacy of pharmaceuticals and 1,738 were for pharmaceutical research and development. No-one likes to use animals in scientific procedures and particularly dogs. However, their use in some procedures is still essential in medical research and testing. The aforementioned figures indicate the important areas of work in which the vast majority of dogs are used.

Secondary information