Help us end the 2.68 million tests in the UK every year
We are one of 11 animal protection organisations to have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to make progress on the government’s commitment to develop a roadmap for the phase-out of animal testing in the UK.
The letter, encouraging a roadmap with an ambitious timeframe, clear milestones and achievable goals to end animal testing, in order to deliver the pledge in the Labour Party’s 2024 General Election manifesto, was also signed by 20 Members of Parliament, four Peers, 25 local Councillors and four Academics.
It highlighted the strength of public and political opinion on the subject and suggested that “new leadership could make a lasting impact on the UK science sector and reap the associated benefits across industry, employment, the economy, public health, and animal welfare”.
As well as advocating acceleration in the development of non-animal testing methods, the letter continues: “It is crucial that the nation does not fall behind international developments in accelerating 21st century science. Continued reliance on animal-based methods is a significant obstacle to the UK becoming a world leader in science.”
Animal Welfare Minister, Baroness Sue Hayman, confirmed in September, at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, that development of the government’s phase-out plan will be led by Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation.
Our ‘Creating a cruelty-free future’ report has outlined our initial recommendations to assist the government in their plans to phase-out animal testing in the UK – none of which require the introduction of new laws or major additional expenditure, and can be started without delay.
Home Office statistics show that there were over 2.68 million uses of animals in laboratories in Great Britain in 2023 – a decrease of just 3% on 2022. Around 9% of those were in legally required tests aimed at assessing the safety or effectiveness of chemicals, medicines and other products; 29% were in basic, curiosity-driven research; and 14% were in research into treatments or cures for diseases, that are purely exploratory and not required by law.
Our Head of Public Affairs, Dylan Underhill, said: “Labour has a strong track record on animal protection and have given firm indications that they intend to build on it – but over 7,340 animals suffer in laboratories in the UK every day and the public have told us that ending animal testing is a matter of great urgency. All of the building blocks are in place for the phase-out of animal testing and making the UK a world leader in cutting-edge, animal-free science, including the commitment to investment in Life Sciences that the government made in the autumn budget.
“We continue to stand ready to assist with the development of a comprehensive plan to build a world free from animal testing. Civil society organisations like Cruelty Free International have an extraordinary amount of experience to bring to the table in terms of scientific and regulatory expertise, social change insights, and strong public engagement. Animal testing won’t end tomorrow, but a total phase-out is within our grasp if we work across society and boldly seize the opportunities presented by cutting-edge, humane and human-relevant science.”
To hear more about our mission to end animal testing and find out how you can make a difference to support our work to create a cruelty-free UK, sign up to our email alerts.