Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Scientific Procedures: Use of Animals

Monday 15 September 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Hinchliff asked about the approval of more than 1.6 million animals for testing over the next five years, including invasive brain research and methods of killing animals in laboratories.
  • Herbie's law proposes to phase out animal experiments in medical research in the UK by 2035.
  • Jim Shannon acknowledged the importance of animal experiments in saving lives but expressed concerns shared by his constituents and possibly the Minister's constituents as well.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Hinchliff Lab North East Hertfordshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Over 1.6 million animals have been approved for use in scientific procedures between April and June 2025, including invasive brain research on monkeys and methods of killing animals in laboratories.

Question

More than 1.6 million animals have been approved for testing over the next five years, including through licences for invasive brain research on monkeys and for looking at different methods of killing animals in laboratories. Labour’s manifesto committed to phasing out animal testing. Can the Minister reassure me that the non-animal methods strategy will commit to Herbie's law and provide a clear framework for phasing out animal experiments within the next decade?

Answer from The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)

Herbie’s law is a proposed legislative framework to phase out animal experiments, specifically in medical research, in the UK by 2035. The Government’s commitment is clear: we will partner with scientists, industry and civil society to work towards a long-term goal of phasing out the use of animals in scientific research and testing. I will ensure that he receives a letter from the relevant Minister.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify timeline or concrete steps beyond vague partnership commitment.

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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

People have had their lives saved through scientific experiments with animals, while a growing number of people have concerns about the treatment of animals used in such experiments.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer. It is quite clear that people have had their lives saved through scientific experiments with animals, and we thank the scientists for that. At the same time, a growing number of people have grave concerns, including my constituents and probably the Minister’s constituents as well. Can he assure us that when it comes to doing animal experiments of any sort, the priority will always be the people who can be saved as a result of the experiments, but it will also be the care of the animals? That is what my people want, and I think it is what everybody wants.

Answer from The Minister for Security (Dan Jarvis)

I can give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. The Government authorise the use of animals in science under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in order to support critical national objectives in public health, scientific innovation and environmental protection. The authorisations provided by the regulator are not a blanket approval, but a tightly regulated process that has rigorous and robust ethical, legal and scientific scrutiny.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically address balance between saving lives and animal care.

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