← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Scientific and Regulatory Procedures: Use of Dogs
28 April 2025
Lead MP
Irene Campbell
North Ayrshire and Arran
Lab
Responding Minister
Feryal Clark
Tags
No tags
Word Count: 14406
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Irene Campbell raised concerns about scientific and regulatory procedures: use of dogs in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Calls for an immediate ban on the use of dogs... Hopes this debate will reignite discussion on banning dog testing...
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The petition has almost 236,000 signatures... In 2023, 2,456 dogs were used in scientific procedures, with 734 classified as causing severe or moderate harm. There are studies questioning the reliability and human-relevant value of these tests.
Alex Mayer
Lab
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Commented on the disconnect between scientific possibilities of non-animal alternatives and their implementation, commending Cruelty Free International's work.
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Recognises a large proportion of dogs used in procedures are beagles... Agrees that we must have a clear timeframe for an immediate ban.
Alison Taylor
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Discusses the impact of using dogs in scientific research, highlighting that more than 90% of drugs that pass animal tests still fail when they reach human trials. Calls for a shift towards modern, human-relevant methods such as organ on a chip and advanced computer modelling.
Dan Carden
Lab
Liverpool Walton
Notes that this process has no legislative basis and no public consent. Hopes to ensure man’s best friend is left alone.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Bristol West
Responded to concerns and outlined the UK's commitment to reducing animal use while adhering to international regulations.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Asked for the current Government to match or exceed previous commitments in funding alternative methods to animal testing.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Highlights consensus across the House regarding ethical questions around the use of dogs in research. Calls for significant funding into alternative methods that are more humane and scientifically advanced.
Barrow and Furness
Raises concerns about the use of dogs in laboratory experiments based on ethical, emotional, practical, and scientific grounds. Highlights advances in non-animal methods that are more accurate and cost-effective.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Asked if there is public support for setting a roadmap to end animal testing.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Intervenes to highlight alternative approaches pioneered by Professor Lorna Harries that can replace some experimental techniques used on dogs.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
562 of her constituents signed the petition. She supported the Labour Government's commitment to phasing out animal testing and highlighted the need for new technology and methods that reduce animal suffering. Asked when Labour’s road map for banning animal testing would be published.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Supports the transposition of animal sentience into British law to ensure high welfare standards.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
The hon. Member shares his experience with pet dogs to highlight the contradiction between loving them at home and subjecting them to medical experiments. He supports Herbie's law, advocating for a ban on dog testing in the UK. Asked the Minister to share sources supporting claims about the value of animal testing.
Torbay
Asked for clear dates from the Minister regarding an end to testing on dogs and all animals.
Steve Race
Con
City of Chester
Supports phasing out the use of dogs in medical research, citing his private Member’s Bill on phasing out animals in medical research. Highlights that more than 92% of drugs that pass animal tests fail in human trials, and supports investing in cutting-edge methods such as organ-on-a-chip technology. Questioned the Minister about increases in the use of specially protected species and the refusal rate of project licences.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Stands up for dog welfare, arguing that animal testing is poor science and harmful to dogs. Supports Herbie’s law to end the use of dogs in scientific experiments.
Tony Vaughan
Lab
Folkestone and Hythe
Acknowledges his constituency's strong support for animal welfare with over 300 signatures on the petition. Emphasises the importance of AI technology as a humane alternative to dog testing, urging meaningful engagement with animal protection groups.
Will Stone
Lab
Swindon North
The hon. Member calls for a future using AI technologies such as organ-on-a-chip and virtual models to reduce the need for animal testing, urging the Government to take leadership in this field.
Government Response
Feryal Clark
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Government Response
The Government acknowledges the strong emotional feelings regarding animal testing and are committed to phasing out the use of animals in science where alternatives exist. They will publish a strategy later this year to support the development, validation, and uptake of alternative methods, ensuring that non-animal methods are utilised wherever possible while maintaining necessary regulations for human safety. Discussed the current regulation of animal testing, outlined Labour’s commitment to phasing out animal use while supporting alternative methods, and committed to publishing a road map by the end of the year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.