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House Of Lords Inquiry Into Animals In Scientific Procedures

April 02, 2001

The House of Lords has appointed a committee chaired by Lord Smith of Clifton, to conduct an inquiry on issues respecting animals in scientific procedures in the United Kingdom. The terms of reference of the committee are:

"To consider and report on issues respecting animals in scientific procedures in the United Kingdom, including-

(1) the working of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986;

(2) the effectiveness of and justification for animal procedures, particularly in: (i) medicine; (ii) education; (iii) defence; (iv) product testing; and

(3) the development and use of alternatives to animal procedures; -and in all the foregoing considerations to pay regard to: public attitudes, availability of information, labelling and consumer issues; developments in biotechnology, and the likely future demand for animal procedures; the effect of any changes on the economy and the science base; EU and international law and practice."

The Committee will take evidence in writing and in person and produce a report to the House, with recommendations addressed to the Government, early next year.

The Committee has just published its call for evidence, which is given below:

The Committee invites written submissions by 23 May relevant to its terms of reference, and addressed in particular to the following questions:

1. What have been the strengths and weaknesses in the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act since 1986; how do you consider that legislation on animal procedures needs to be changed?

2. What scientific developments and changes in public attitudes have occurred relevant to animal procedures since 1986; how have researchers and regulators responded to such changes; and do you consider that their response has been appropriate?

3. What are the current effective alternatives to animal procedures; and what alternatives to animal procedures might be developed?

4. How do you consider that demand for animal procedures will develop in the future; and how should the regulatory system respond?

Evidence should be submitted to the Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures, Committee Office, House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW; Fax 020 7219 0277; e-mail asp@parliament.uk Evidence must arrive by Wednesday 23 May 2001.

Short submissions are preferred. All long submissions should include a one-page summary. Evidence must be clearly printed or typed on single sides of A4 paper, unstapled. Paragraphs should be numbered. If drawings or charts are included, these must be black-and-white and of camera-ready quality. Evidence should be signed and dated, with a note of the author's name and status, and of whether the evidence is submitted on an individual or corporate basis. Only one copy is required. Evidence becomes the property of the Committee, and may be printed or circulated by the Committee at any stage. You may publicise your evidence yourself, but in doing so you must indicate that it was prepared for the Committee. Those who submit written evidence, and others, may be invited to give oral evidence. Oral evidence is usually given in public at Westminster, and transcripts are published. Persons invited to give oral evidence will be notified separately of the procedure to be followed and the topics likely to be discussed.



House of Lords