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Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Monday, 20 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 April 2026 (named day). It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Friday, 24 April 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Animal Experiments: Rabbits

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress she has made on working with regulatory agencies to accelerate the replacement of the Rabbit Pyrogen Test with the Monocyte Activation Test across UK guidelines.

Answer

Rabbit pyrogen tests were removed from the British Pharmacopeia in 2025 under this Government, meaning that no rabbit pyrogenicity testing should now be conducted in the UK for any pharmacopoeial pyrogen testing purposes. International (ISO) standards for medical devices may require the use of rabbit pyrogen testing for market authorisation for non-UK markets. Where this is the case Prospective Authorisation would need to be granted by the Home Office, no such tests were carried out in 2025. We are working with the Home Office to ensure that no new licences are approved that include the use of the rabbit pyrogen tests where validated alternatives are available.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
128372
Session
2024-26
Related items
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Animal experiments Rabbits
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk