May 1, 2014

expert reaction to the news that the Home Office plans to abolish Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Reports said Home Office Minister Norman Baker was due to announce that Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 is to be abolished.

Dr Louise Leong, ABPI Director of Research and Development policy, said: 

“The ABPI welcomes the Home Office consultation on the review of Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, and will be giving it due consideration with our member companies. The pharmaceutical industry is committed to greater transparency on the use of animals in research and the ABPI, and many of our members, declared this commitment by signing the Declaration on the  Openness in Animal Research. This recognises our duty to be transparent and accountable for the research we conduct, fund and support.  The ABPI would be looking for reassurance that any amendments to this Act do not compromise the safety of people who work in animal research and also continues to support the competitiveness of the UK in Life Sciences by ensuring the confidentiality of intellectual property and commercially sensitive information.”

Dr Domenico Spina, Chair of the British Pharmacological Society Animal Welfare and Integrative Pharmacology Committee, said:

“BPS welcomes the consultation on the review of Section 24 of ASPA. As signatories to the Concordant on Openness on Animal Research, we would support changes that conform to the spirit of openness, and provide clarity for the scientific community concerning publicly available information. We look forward to contributing to this consultation.”

Wendy Jarrett, Chief Executive of Understanding Animal Research, said:

“We welcome today’s announcement, and have been consistent in arguing that explaining what really goes on inside labs is the best way to counter the sometimes hysterical claims of so-called animal rights activists. There was a time when a small number of activists resorted to illegal activities, which forced public bodies to withhold information to protect health and safety on their campuses. As that threat has diminished, so scientists are in a better position to explain how animals are used in medical, veterinary and environmental research. Provided that information that could identify them or their intellectual property remains confidential it is right that the public learn more about their experiments”

Declared interests

Wendy Jarrett is employed by Understanding Animal Research, a Director of the European Animal Research Association (unremunerated) and I am a trustee of the Blood Pressure Research Trust (unremunerated).

Dr Domenico Spina is Reader in Pharmacology at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Kings College London