The Animals in Science Committee have updated their ways of
working to better enable delivery of government commitments.
The Animals in Science Committee (ASC) has today unveiled their
new Ways of Working and
Working Protocol, set to supersede its existing Code of
Practice and Working Protocol.
This follows the Department for Science, Innovation and
Technology's (DSIT) publication of Replacing animals in
science: a strategy to support the development, validation and
uptake of alternative methods, which made the commitment to
“Formally involve DSIT in the direct commissioning and receipt of
advice from the ASC”.
This update includes revisions to establish a new mechanism for
DSIT to directly commission the ASC for advice with agreement
from the Home Office, enabling DSIT to fulfil its responsibility
to support the development and validation of alternative methods.
This new commissioning mechanism will lay the necessary
foundations to meet the commitment made in the strategy.
Home Office Minister said:
These changes will strengthen the way government draws on
scientific and technical expertise, giving us more robust,
independent advice as we work to phase out the use of animals in
scientific research.
By modernising the commissioning model, we cut unnecessary
bureaucracy and draw on specialist capability across government.
This means quicker evidence, clearer decisions, and a stronger
platform for long‑term reform, keeping our progress towards our
mission focused and sustained.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Minister said:
This government is working to end animal testing wherever
possible and rolling out alternatives as soon as it is safe and
effective to do so.
Keeping our ambitious strategy on track relies on experts from
government and beyond working together. This change will make it
simpler and faster for policymakers to seek the advice they need.
Chair of the ASC Dr Sally Robinson said:
The publication of the ‘replacing animals in science' strategy
set out a clear role for the Animals in Science Committee. To
deliver on these commitments, it is essential that the government
has access to the independent advice that it requires.
With the publication of our new Ways of Working, the Department
for Science, Innovation and Technology will have the ability to
commission the Animals in Science Committee directly for the
first time. On behalf of the full committee, I would like to
express our enthusiasm for this opportunity for more effective
cross-government working in relation to the use of animal and
non-animal methods in scientific research going forward.
The ASC is an independent public body sponsored by the
Home Office. It provides independent advice about issues relating
to the use of animals in scientific procedures within the context
of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
