Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the principle of replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals in research, what plans there are to reduce the size of the breeding colony of marmosets at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down.

The size of the Dstl marmoset breeding colony is under constant review by veterinary staff, independent inspectors and the Dstl Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body, following the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals in research (the 3Rs). Accordingly, the breeding colony is maintained at the minimum size consistent with future research needs and maintaining suitable genetic diversity.