The MP had received over 100 letters on the issue since the General Election
The Government has announced plans to accelerate efforts to phase out animal testing where suitable alternatives are available. The hurrying of the phase out comes after the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, Emma Hardy, passed on residents’ concerns to Government Ministers.
Within the Labour Party’s manifesto from last year’s General Election, which saw the party return to Downing Street after fourteen years in opposition, was a commitment to the phasing out of animal testing in all but exceptional circumstances. Since the election held last May, Ms Hardy has received over 100 emails from her constituents about animal testing. She passed on these concerns to Ministers in the Government who have now announced plans to accelerate the development and adoption of safe and effective alternative methods.
The Government has unveiled a new ‘roadmap’ to deliver on the manifesto commitment to replace certain animal tests which are currently still used to determine the safety of products. The strategy recognises that phasing out the use of animals in science can only happen where reliable and effective alternative methods, with the same level of safety for human exposure, can replace them.
By working with partners, backing researchers with new funding and streamlining regulation, the plan will enable teams to pivot safely to a number of new methods. These include:
- Organ-on-a-chip systems – small devices that mimic how human organs work using real human cells
- 3D bio-printed tissues could create realistic human tissue samples, from skin to liver, for testing – providing lifelike environments for studying human biology and checking if substances are toxic
- Greater use of AI to analyse information about molecules to predict whether new medicines will be safe and work well on humans
Emma Hardy has said: “I am delighted that the Government has listened to my constituents and is taking strong action to phase out animal testing. My constituents love animals. I know this concerned so many of them and, with too little funding under the Tories, it meant we were missing out on opportunities to do innovative research as well. Under Labour, our aim is to establish the UK as a world leader in developing and adopting alternatives to animal testing.
“Labour’s new strategy will make a huge difference in speeding up our move from animal testing to safe and effective alternatives. Not only will Labour’s plan protect animals, but it will also ensure we continue to innovate and develop life-saving products while growing the economy.”
The Government’s Science Minister, Lord Vallance has said: “Nobody in our country of animal lovers wants to see suffering and our plan will support work to end animal testing wherever possible and roll out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so. This is a roadmap which will ensure government, businesses and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively.”
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