Scientists comment on annual statistics on animal research, published by the Home Office.    Professor Clare Stanford (UCL), Chair of … read more

The Secretary of State for the Home Department, Suella Braverman, announced the licensing ban with immediate effect.   Dr Ernie … read more

The use of genome editing technologies in the breeding of farmed animals could potentially offer some new ways to help … read more

A report published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics looks at the social and ethical issues surrounding the use of … read more

Over the last year the finger has been pointed at meat production and dairy farming as major causes of global … read more

The Home Office has released its annual statistics on the use of animals in research. read more

On Wednesday 20th July the Home Office published its 2015 statistics on animals used in scientific procedures as well as the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) annual report. Journalists came along to hear the latest figures from two Home Office officials, along with responses from three leading experts who have a broad overview of animal research and gave their thoughts on the reasons behind any rise or fall in the statistics or issues raised in the report. read more

The European Commission has rejected the Stop Vivisection Initiative that sought to repeal a directive on the protection of animals, which would have a led to a European-wide ban on animal research. read more

The Home Office has published reports on investigations into compliance with animal welfare regulations at three facilities. Inquiries were launched after BUAV infiltrations at Imperial College London, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and separate issues at Harlan Laboratories. read more

Intensive farming has a bad name with plenty of assumptions about poor animal welfare and putting commercial gain above environmental damage. The SMC invited leading experts to brief journalists on the views of agricultural scientists and vets on this controversial area. read more

Following a public consultation on an EU Directive on animal research, the government sent out a statement on the transposition of the directive into UK law, a subject on which the SMC held a briefing earlier in 2012. read more

The SMC held a background briefing on the transposition of a European Directive on animal research into UK law, and leading medical institutions provided additional comments. read more

The new EU Directive on animal research aims to harmonise animal welfare standards and regulations across the Union, and now the UK has to decide how to incorporate the Directive into UK law. With animal rights groups accusing the scientific community of diluting welfare standards, this background briefing gave leading figures from medical research institutions the chance to speak about what they are actually calling for and why. read more

The government announced pledges to reduce the numbers of animals used in medical research, while supporting the use of animals where no alternative is currently possible. read more

Efforts have been made to ‘harmonise’ the EU directive on animal protection after criticisms. read more

The European Parliament reviewed and voted on the EU Directive designed to clarify regulation of animal research. read more

The Zoological Society of London has been facing a difficult decision over whether to introduce a new male gorilla to its group. The death of the previous male left three females, one pregnant, whose welfare may suffer in the absence of a male. However, with the introduction of a new male comes a risk of infanticide for the pregnant female’s offspring. Experts from ZSL came to the SMC to announce the result of their decision. read more

New guidelines for the scientific reporting of research involving animals have been published by the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). read more

The Directive has been criticised by scientists for its overly stringent regulatory measures, and that it may create a culture of over-regulation and bureaucracy that could stifle research. read more

The European Parliament is considering revisions to Directive 86/609 which covers the use of animals in scientific research. While the scientific community is welcoming the opportunity to update the Directive, there are serious concerns that many of its proposed restrictions on animal use will not improve welfare, while hindering vital research for patient benefit. This briefing was held jut before the key vote on the Directive in the EU parliament, and brought together key stakeholders to speak out about their concerns. read more