Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, (a) what progress his Department has made towards enabling research funders to ensure scrutiny of animal use in grant decisions and (b) whether guidance is provided to funding assessment panels on evaluating non-animal alternative methods.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading delivery of the commitment to enable funders to ensure thorough scrutiny of animal use in funding decisions. UKRI is developing its funding service to support this and encourage research applicants to develop and implement alternatives to animal use. UKRI’s policy on research and innovation involving animals also encourages applications with the potential to advance the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). Work to strengthen consideration of alternative methods in funding decisions is continuing, with further progress to be reported through implementation of the Replacing Animals in Science strategy.