Written question asked by Michael Wheeler (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 (named day). It was answered by Dan Jarvis (Labour) on Thursday, 13 November 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Animal Experiments

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s publication entitled Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2024, published on 23 October 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the increase in the number of procedures involving (a) fish, (b) rats and (c) horses from 2023 to 2024.

Answer

In 2024, there were 2.64 million regulated scientific procedures carried out in Great Britain involving living animals. This is a decrease of 1% on the previous year, and the lowest number since 2001.

The trends in the number of animals and types of procedures carried out each year are influenced by a range of extraneous factors, for example requirements for research and testing which include products being brought to market.

The Home Office is responsible for regulating under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) to assure compliance with protections afforded to animals used in science and to administrate the licensing framework. Data trends and requirements will be assessed by the authorities whom have particular responsibilities and requirements for the use of animals of science.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 88521
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Animal experiments Horses Fish Rodents
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Animal Experiments

Secondary information

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