Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of non-compliance cases reported in each of the last five years under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act 1986 were for the failure to provide food and/or water; and if she will make a statement.

The Home Office Regulator’s annual reports from 2016 to 2018 are available at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reports.

From these reports, the Home Office can confirm that in 2016, eight cases (18% of total non-compliance cases) were related to the failure to provide appropriate care (including food, water and suitable facilities).

In 2017, eight cases (20% of total non-compliance cases) were related to the failure to provide appropriate care (including food, water and suitable facilities).

In 2018, eight cases (29% of total non-compliance cases) were related to the failure to provide appropriate care (including food, water and suitable facilities).

The data for 2019 and 2020 will soon be published in the Home Office Regulator’s annual report.

Failing to provide sufficient food and/or water to animals, as part of basic husbandry and care, is unacceptable. Establishments must have robust procedures in place to ensure the adequate provision of food and water at all times to animals kept under the protection of ASPA.

The Home Office take any allegations regarding potential non-compliance with ASPA, the Code of Practice or individual licence conditions very seriously. The published Compliance Policy, found here: (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-testing-and-research-compliance-with-aspa) explains how the Regulator identifies and investigates potential incidents of non-compliance and decides on appropriate and proportionate measures and remedies aimed to minimise the risk of recurrence.