Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department last checked conditions at Marshall BioResources in Huntingdon.

The Animals in Science Regulation Unit conducts both announced and unannounced audits to ensure establishments compliance with the terms of their licences, the Code of Practice and with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). Each establishment that holds specially protected species, such as dogs, will be audited at least once every year. All other establishments will receive an audit at least every three years.

ASPA provides protections for animals bred in the UK for use in scientific procedures. All establishments licenced to breed protected animals under ASPA are required to comply with the published Code of Practice, which sets out standards for the appropriate care and accommodation of animals.