Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has received reports of laboratories euthanising animals due to (a) staff working from home, self-isolating, being sick or furloughed and (b) reduced demand as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Each establishment licence holder has the responsibility at all times for the welfare of the animals within their establishment, which includes ensuring appropriate level of staffing for the care of the animals held. The Home Office has made clear that establishments should continue to document the processes used and decisions made to comply with licences held under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act. Establishment animal care and welfare staff, named people and scientists are, within the Government measures, able to attend work as required to fulfil their duties.

The Home Office does not hold information of reports of laboratory animals being euthanised as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, neither is information held regarding the reduction in demand for animals.