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Written question asked by Seamus Logan (Scottish National Party) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2025, published in July 2026, what analysis she has undertaken of the factors contributing to the increase in regulatory procedures for toxicity and other safety testing, including pharmacology, involving beagles, mice, cynomolgus monkeys, domestic fowl, other birds, goats and pigs; and what steps she is taking to accelerate the replacement of animals in those procedures with human-specific technologies.

Answer

The number and type of regulated procedures carried out can vary from year to year, reflecting factors such as scientific and public health priorities, scientific innovation, research funding, regulatory requirements, and the availability of suitable non-animal alternatives.

The requirements for regulatory testing are set by the relevant product regulators, including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for medicines and the Health and Safety Executive for chemicals.

The Government’s Replacing Animals in Science strategy, backed by £75 million in funding, sets out measures to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
24809
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Animal experiments Primates
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk