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Written question asked by Yasmin Qureshi (Labour) on Friday, 29 August 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 September 2025. It was answered by Dan Jarvis (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 September 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.


Shellfish: Animal Experiments

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to amend the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to include decapod crustaceans.

Answer

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which provides a framework for animal protection and welfare. Defra is building an evidence base for considering if decapods should have greater protections. The Home Office will be guided by these decisions as to whether decapod crustaceans are regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The Government is committed to accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal alternatives in science and will publish a strategy later this year. The Government has a manifesto commitment to work towards a vision to phase out animal testing through the acceleration of development and uptake of validated non-animal alternatives.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
70381
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Animal experiments Shellfish
Legislation
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk