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12 Jan 2009 : Column 264W—continued
The licensing system under the 1986 Act is demand-led and we have no control over the number of project licence applications we receive. The Act limits such animal use to where there is a clear benefit to people, animals or the environment when there is no means of obtaining these benefits without animal use, or at a lesser animal welfare cost. All scientists and researchers undertaking animal research in the UK are required to
take into account the ‘3Rs’ (measures to replace, reduce, and refine animal use) when devising their programmes of research proposals.
In 2004 the Government established the National Centre for the 3Rs to provide a focal point and resources for such activities. The NC3Rs, which is part funded by the Home Office, drives advances in the 3Rs by taking a robust scientific approach, and bringing together expertise from a diverse range of areas, including academia, industry, Government and regulatory bodies.
There have been no recent formal representations about this issue.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the Animals (Scientific Purposes) Act 1986; and if she will make a statement. [245074]
Meg Hillier: We have not received any recent formal representations on the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) statutory instruments, (b) departmental circulars and (c) other documents she (i) has issued in the last 12 months and (ii) plans to issue in the next 12 months consequent on the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Purposes) Act 1986; and if she will make a statement. [245075]
Meg Hillier: During the past 12 months we have issued no statutory instruments, departmental circulars or other documents consequential on the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Purposes) Act 1986 and currently have no plans to issue any in the next 12 months.
During 2008 we have issued a total of 10 PCD circulars and ASPD newsletters to stakeholders on a range of topical issues and these are also published on our website.
Animal Experiments: EC Law
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on EC Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes; what recent representations she has received on this Directive; if she will publish copies of the representations she has received, together with her replies; and if she will make a statement. [245067]
Meg Hillier:
The requirements of European Union directive 86/609/EEC are implemented in United Kingdom law through the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The 1986 Act puts into effect, and in some ways exceeds,
the requirements of directive 86/609/EEC and of Council of Europe Convention ETS 123.
I have received no recent formal representation.
A proposal for the revision of directive 86/609 has now been published and pending a formal public consultation to inform the Government's negotiating position my officials are undertaking a range of meetings with stakeholders including other Government Departments, users, funding bodies; and those with a special interest in alternatives, animal welfare and animal protection.
The UK Government supports the Commission's aims to harmonise the regulation of the use of animals for experimental and other scientific purposes across the European Union. In particular we support elements of the proposal that will promote high European animal welfare standards, and the development and use of alternative methods.
We believe that it is essential the regulation properly balances the protection of animals and the legitimate needs of science, industry and society, ensuring high quality scientific outputs while maintaining public confidence that animals do not suffer unnecessarily.
We will not support any unnecessary or disproportionate increase in the regulatory burden that would not further those objectives, or would damage the success, sustainability or competitiveness of the UK science base.
Animal Experiments: Licensing
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications there were for licences for animal experimentation in each year since 1997; how many licences were granted in each such year; and how many applications were rejected. [245066]
Meg Hillier: From the retained records available to us, full details for licences applied for and granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are only available from 2003 and these and the current year to date are shown in the following tables.
A feature of the regulatory regime under the 1986 Act is the discussion that often takes place at an early stage between applicants (or prospective applicants) and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. When serious deficiencies are discovered with the proposals during these early discussions with the local inspectors, this means that proposals unlikely to meet the Act’s stringent requirements are revised or withdrawn before formal refusal becomes necessary.
Furthermore, it is commonly the case that the authorities ultimately granted are not as originally set out by the applicants.
| Personal licences | |||||||||
| Number granted in | |||||||||
| Number of licences applied for | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 to date | Number not proceeded with plus those still outstanding at end of the period | Number refused | |
| Certificates of designation | |||||||||
| Number granted in | |||||||||
| Number of licences applied for | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 to date | Number not proceeded with plus those still outstanding at end of the period | Number refused | |
| n/a = Not available. | |||||||||
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