Checking Up

Overseeing the way animal research is carried out is the Home Office's Animal (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate, which checks to make sure the terms of licences are not broken.

Home Office inspectors can visit laboratories any time they like and most of their inspections are unannounced. They have their own security cards to enter premises whenever they wish. UK inspectors each have far fewer laboratories (less than 10 for each inspector) to monitor than their equivalents in other countries (over 90 for each inspector in the US). All inspectors qualified either as doctors or veterinarians before joining the Home Office

The Home Office's Animal (Scientific Procedures) Division also develops policies and guidance, and encourages best practice.

The government has another body to advise on arguments for and against animal experimentation. This is the Animal Procedures Committee. Its members are drawn from a variety of organisations; all members share a concern for the welfare of animals used in research. Recent reports have been on primates in safety testing and the way in which applications for licences are assessed.