, Minister of State (Lords
Minister) for the Home Office, today announced that Dr Sally
Robinson has been appointed as chair of the Animals in Science
Committee (ASC) following a robust competition conducted in
accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
Dr Robinson will take up the appointment with
the ASC on 1 June 2025, succeeding Professor David Main
who has served as ASC chair for 6 years.
Home Office Minister said:
I am pleased to welcome Dr Robinson as the new chair of the ASC.
Her extensive knowledge and experience will be an asset to the
Committee.
I would also like to extend my thanks to Professor Main for his
leadership, expertise, and dedication during his tenure as chair.
This government is fully committed to reducing the need for
animals in scientific research and assuring protections to
animals where no alternatives are available.
Under Dr Robinson's leadership, the ASC will continue to provide
clear, independent, and transparent advice to the government on
these important issues.
Dr Sally Robinson spent the majority of her career at AstraZeneca
as a toxicologist, then Senior Director of Animal Sciences and
Technology.
She has a breadth of experience in relation to animal research
through roles predominantly within the pharmaceutical industry
but more recently in academia. She has over 20 years of
experience of implementation of the 3Rs at local and
international level, and promotion of a Culture of Care and
governance through Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies
(AWERB) with over 30 publications on these topics. Dr Robinson
has experience of chairing a wide range of committees or expert
working groups, including the European Federation of
Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) Research and
Animal Welfare group, UK NC3Rs expert working groups and panels
and AWERBs.
Incoming chair of the ASC Dr Sally Robinson said:
The use of animals in research is of scientific, ethical, and
societal interest fostering a diverse and polarised range of
views. I believe the Animals in Science Committee provides an
important role in considering all these views when formulating
its advice.
I look forward to taking up the role of chair of the Animals in
Science Committee and to working with Committee members using
evidence and expert opinion to develop independent, objective,
and balanced advice.
I would like to thank and recognise my predecessor Professor Main
who has led the ASC since 2019. I hope to continue to build on
the achievements of the ASC to date.
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.
