I have had a number of constituents contact me about EDM 373. Unfortunately, EDMs have fallen into disrepute in recent years, as they cost around £400,000 a year to administer and have little legislative effect. As such, I choose not to sign them.
I am pleased that the Government has outlined how it will work to reduce, replace and refine the use of animals in research – known as ‘the 3Rs’. The UK’s National Centre for the 3Rs has been leading the way in this area, and has already invested over £35 million to support this work. As a result, trials into cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, as well as toxicity testing, have all seen reductions in animal use.
Animal research still plays a small but important role in providing vital safety information for potential new medicines. It is worth remembering that, as a result of findings from animal studies, a large number of potential new drugs never get as far as being tested in humans. Some aspects of the toxicological assessment of new medicines cannot be adequately assessed in humans, and animal data will be the only kind available.
However, animals are only used when there are no suitable alternatives, and by encouraging new cutting-edge approaches to science, we will ensure that standards of animal welfare are improved.