Roadmap – to phase out ‘animal testing’ – is launched

This has been sent to all MPs in the House of Commons as well as all relevant government Ministers (those whose departments have responsibility for policies and legislation that influence the number and type of ‘animal experiments’ which are conducted).

Prior to the election, the now government pledged that they would ‘partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing’ and we will hold them to this promise. The roadmap urges everyone to ‘be inspired, recognise the possibilities and commit to do everything in your power to achieve the goal of an end to animal testing’. 

Focussing specifically on experiments for ‘regulatory toxicology’ – those required by law – the roadmap outlines how it is possible to transition from scientifically unreliable and outdated animal experiments to non-animal new approach methodologies (NAMs). Our roadmap is very clear that any NAM which aims to replace the use of animals in ‘testing’ should also not contain any animal by-products. Following our roadmap would not only see an end to animal experiments, it would also position the UK as a global scientific leader, boost the economy, benefit human health and future-proof the careers of scientists.

The roadmap has five ‘asks’:

• Immediately establish a NAMs audit body, consisting of experts from all stakeholder groups, to identify non-animal methodologies (NAMs) already in use and requiring development.
• Remove real and perceived barriers to NAMs use through training and education for all stakeholders to maximise knowledge, and use, of NAMs. To enforce a legal principle, with immediate effect, that animal testing is a last resort.
• Divert funding previously allocated to animal testing, to develop, promote and implement. Ensure all stakeholders are clear on legislative and other changes in order to plan, invest and adjust outputs accordingly.
• Regulators should be supported with a revised framework to drive forward-thinking in their approaches to NAMs to maximise the submission of NAMs methods, their acceptance and use. An environment must be established to allow industry stakeholders to submit NAMs as the rule instead of the exception, in accordance with a new legal enshrinement of the ‘last resort’ principle for animal tests.
• Develop a community approach where all stakeholders are heard to enable an efficient and just transition.

 Whilst we have included the proposal ‘To enforce a legal principle, with immediate effect, that animal testing is a last resort’ this does not mean that we see any animal experiment as ‘acceptable’. What it does mean is that, if enacted, everyone would be aware that all avenues should be explored before they even consider conducting animal experiments. They would know this was a legal requirement. Animals should not be used in experiments simply because it has ‘always been done’. With so many NAMs available and with animal experiments not being reliably translated to humans, there should not be any situation where animal experiments are warranted.

We have submitted excerpts of our roadmap to a recent government consultation on the UK’s ‘Modern Industrial Strategy’ to outline how our roadmap, with steps to invest in the development, promotion and use of NAMs, can help meet the objectives of the ‘industrial strategy’. One of which is to ‘shape the economy, taking advantage of the UK’s unique strengths and untapped potential, enabling already world-leading industries to adapt and grow, and seizing opportunities to lead in new and emerging industries’