Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the recently published Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain in 2022, what assessment she has made of the potential harms caused to cynomolgus monkeys by transporting them from Africa or Asia to Great Britain for use in scientific procedures.

The UK Government maintains robust regulations and guidelines to ensure the welfare of animals used in scientific procedures, including during transportation. Strict standards are in place, and thorough planning and risk assessments are conducted to mitigate potential risks. These assessments consider various factors, such as appropriate housing, environmental conditions, veterinary care, and the expertise of personnel involved. Protected animals in Great Britain that are used, or bred or supplied for use, in scientific procedures, are regulated by the Home Office under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

When animals are transported, their transportation must comply fully with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare, including the provision of sufficient space, feed and water. All transporters are required to ensure that, when transporting animals, they do so in a way that avoids causing pain, suffering or distress. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the scientific community and regulatory bodies continually review and refine transportation practices to enhance the welfare of animals used in research. This includes exploring alternatives to minimize the need for transportation, such as collaborations with local research facilities and the sharing of resources and data across institutions.

The Government is committed to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare throughout the scientific research process.