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Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Wednesday, 8 January 2020, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 January 2020. It was answered by Victoria Atkins (Conservative) on Friday, 17 January 2020 on behalf of the Home Office.


Animal Experiments: Licensing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 9 September 2019 to Question 282282 on Animal Experiments: Licensing, regarding licencing of the forced swim test under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, (a) whether project licences authorising multiple generic projects may include authorisation of the forced swim test and (b) what severity classification, according to definitions of severity described in the Act, is assigned to projects that include the forced swim test as an element of the programme of work.

Answer

Project licences authorising multiple generic projects under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (as amended) may include authorisation for the forced swim test.

Severity classification is not assigned at project level.

During the harm-benefit analysis the Home Office assigns severity classification to protocols in accordance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (as amended) which is published at:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/14/contents. The classification takes account of the highest severity likely to be experienced by any animal used in the protocol.

The Home Office ensures that animals are only used when necessary and under strict controls which keep suffering to a minimum. Any research which we licence must undergo a thorough harm-benefit analysis including ensuring that the planned work implements the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement).


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1331
Session
2019-21
Related items
Animal Experiments: Licensing
Monday, 9 September 2019
Written questions
House of Commons
Animal Experiments: Licensing
Thursday, 5 March 2020
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Animal experiments Licensing
Legislation
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk