Issued by: Animals in Science Committee

The Animals in Science Committee have updated their ways of working to better enable delivery of government commitments.

The Animals in Science Committee (ASC) has today unveiled their new Ways of Working and Working Protocol [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animals-in-science-committee-ways-of-working], set to supersede its existing Code of Practice and Working Protocol.

This follows the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) publication of Replacing animals in science: a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/replacing-animals-in-science-strategy], which made the commitment to “Formally involve DSIT in the direct commissioning and receipt of advice from the ASC”.

This update includes revisions to establish a new mechanism for DSIT to directly commission the ASC for advice with agreement from the Home Office, enabling DSIT to fulfil its responsibility to support the development and validation of alternative methods. This new commissioning mechanism will lay the necessary foundations to meet the commitment made in the strategy.

Home Office Minister Lord Hanson said:

"These changes will strengthen the way government draws on scientific and technical expertise, giving us more robust, independent advice as we work to phase out the use of animals in scientific research.

"By modernising the commissioning model, we cut unnecessary bureaucracy and draw on specialist capability across government. This means quicker evidence, clearer decisions, and a stronger platform for long‑term reform, keeping our progress towards our mission focused and sustained."

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Lord Vallance said:

"This government is working to end animal testing wherever possible and rolling out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so.

"Keeping our ambitious strategy on track relies on experts from government and beyond working together. This change will make it simpler and faster for policymakers to seek the advice they need."

Chair of the ASC Dr Sally Robinson said:

"The publication of the ‘replacing animals in science’ strategy set out a clear role for the Animals in Science Committee. To deliver on these commitments, it is essential that the government has access to the independent advice that it requires.

"With the publication of our new Ways of Working, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will have the ability to commission the Animals in Science Committee directly for the first time. On behalf of the full committee, I would like to express our enthusiasm for this opportunity for more effective cross-government working in relation to the use of animal and non-animal methods in scientific research going forward."

The ASC is an independent public body sponsored by the Home Office. It provides independent advice about issues relating to the use of animals in scientific procedures within the context of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

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