Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2025 to Question 29603 on Animal Experiments: Licensing, when her Department plans to begin its internal review into the duration of project licences for animal research under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Work is ongoing to conduct an internal review in relation to the duration of project licences for animal research under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). The Home Office intends to report on the review by the end of 2025.

The regulatory framework has a rigorous approach to the application of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) in all applications for programmes of work involving animals. Establishments conducting research must have robust internal governance systems and processes that ensure the regulated activities carried out at the establishment are undertaken in accordance with the principles of the 3Rs. Our application of the 3Rs principles continuously evolves with scientific developments.