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news release

2011 figures reveal UK Government breaking pledge to reduce animal tests

The Government has announced another increase in the number of animals killed in British laboratories - up 68,104 from 2010 to reach just over 3.71 million in 2011. The figures, which only cover tests likely to involve 'pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm', confirm that the Government is breaking its promise to 'work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research', as stated at page 18 of the Coalition's Programme for Government.

Fish have borne the brunt of this increase, particularly in fundamental research, toxicology and genetic modification experiments. Scientific evidence contradicts complacent prejudices about fish sentience, demonstrating they suffer stress from being handled as well as having the capacity to feel pain. There are also concerns that a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of killing methods could lead to particularly severe suffering for the 562,245 fish sacrificed last year.

Other animals to endure increasing experimentation include chickens and other birds, mice, rabbits, horses and other equids, pigs, goats and cattle. However, fewer rats, gerbils, hamsters, dogs, sheep and primates were used.

Dr Dan Lyons, Uncaged Campaigns Director, comments:

"This latest rise demonstrates the abject failure of the Government and research industry to honour their professed commitments to animal welfare and the replacement of animal experiments. It shows that such talk is just a Machiavellian tactic to deflect the public’s outrage at cruelty to animals.

The Government's light-touch regulation of animal experimentation clearly cannot deliver the changes needed to save animals and simultaneously modernise health research. As things stand, the Government will be unable to deliver the shift away from animal experiments as promised under the new European Directive. As we found to our cost with the banking industry, without democratic oversight then basic ethical standards and the public interest will be sacrificed for short-term industry profits."

Uncaged Campaigns 10.07.12

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