PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Animal Experiments (4 September 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2015, published by her Department on 20 July 2017, if she will take steps to reduce the breeding and dispatch of animals in the UK and make greater use of cryopreservation to maintain established lines of genetically altered animals for research purposes.

Asked by:
Kerry McCarthy (Labour)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires licensees to apply the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) at all times, including when breeding genetically altered animals. The Animals in Science Regulation Unit has developed a genetically altered animal assessment framework to support the delivery of the 3Rs through efficient breeding. The framework was designed specifically for the breeding of genetically altered mice, although the principles apply to many species. The framework encourages the use of options such as cryopreservation where appropriate.

Answered by:
Mr Ben Wallace (Conservative)
12 September 2017