Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he makes of the percentage of animals bred for possible experimentation purposes which are subsequently not used for these purposes. - (Holding answer 16 November 2004).

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he makes of the percentage of animals bred for possible experimentation purposes which are subsequently not used for these purposes. [197888] Caroline Flint: [holding answer 16 November 2004]: The Home Office does not collect this information centrally. However, the Animal Procedures Committee has recently investigated the production of conventional animals for use in scientific procedures, focussing specifically on rats, mice, dogs, cats and non-human primates, all of which are listed in schedule two of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and are required to be obtained from designated breeding or supplying establishments. The Committee published its report in September 2004 as Annex G to its Annual Report for 2003 (HC 1017). Their review was based on surveys carried out by the Laboratory Animals Science Association. The Committee concluded that overbreeding of conventional animals is not a significant problem. This conclusion is supported by the observations of Home Office Inspectors who visit designated breeding establishments.

Secondary information