Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to bring animal breeding for testing within the scope of the Animal Welfare Act 2006; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of compliance with commercial breeding licences for animal testing.

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) provides protections for animals bred for the use in scientific procedures. Establishments licenced to breed animals under ASPA are required to comply with the published Code of Practice, which sets out standards for appropriate care and accommodation of animals.

The Animals in Science Regulation Unit conduct audits and inspections to ensure establishments comply with the terms of their licences, the Code of Practice and with ASPA.

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 specifically exempts any use of animals for scientific or educational purposes legally conducted and regulated under ASPA.

The Government has no plans to change the current position with respect these pieces of legislation.