At their latest party conference the Conservatives announced plans to improve UK animal welfare, but failed to include any mention of animals in laboratories. We are calling on the Conservative Party to commit to ending the severe suffering of animals in experiments, more transparency around animal testing, and a review into reducing and replacing animal tests with a view to quickly ending this practice,

A recent survey commissioned by the government shows that this is a real area of concern in the UK with 86% of people opposing tests which use dogs, cats or monkeys. However the latest UK animal testing figures do not reflect public opinion with recently released Home Office stats revealing that a shocking 3.47 million animals were used in UK research in 2018.

Our Director of Public Affairs, Kerry Postlewhite, said: “While we are pleased that the Conservative party is looking to champion animal welfare, we are disappointed there that to date there has been no mention of animals suffering in cruel and unreliable tests. It is unacceptable that the UK continues to accept the status quo with over 3.5 million animals still used in UK laboratories, despite the availability of more humane and human-relevant non-animal methods, and the British public making it clear this isn’t what they want.

“We urge the UK to match 21st century science and public opinion. With progress being made in the US and elsewhere, it is time for the UK to recognise that there must be change and open up to proposals to end the suffering of animals in laboratories.”

If you agree that it’s time for the UK government to commit to an end to animal testing, write to your local MP and let them know what  you think. Help us give a voice to those that are voiceless!