The Work of The Committee
The work of the Committee is split between reactive (for instance, when we look at certain licence applications, infringements, scientific developments and exposés) and pro-active (for example, advising on policy and practice). Our objective, in all our tasks, is to offer independent, expert and balanced advice in relation to the use of animals for experimental purposes.
There are some misconceptions about our role in the licensing process. We do not see most licence applications. It is the role of the Home Office Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to assess applications and to advise the Home Secretary on whether they should be granted and, if so, on what terms. We do, however, see all applications for project licences that involve:
- the use of wild-caught non human primates;
- the use of cats, dogs, equidae or non human primates in procedures of substantial severity;
- a substantial severity banding or major animal welfare or ethical implications, involving (a) xenotransplantation of whole organs or (b) chronic pain models or (c) study of the central nervous system
- applications of any kind raising novel or contentious issues, or giving rise to serious societal concerns.
The Committee cannot grant or refuse licence applications. Our role is, instead, to advise the Home Secretary on the few applications that we see - we give him our advice as to whether they should be granted and, if so, on any particular conditions they should have.
During the last few years we have published reports on the Review of Schedule 1 of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act – Appropriate methods of humane killing, on a review of modular training and the acceptance of overseas centres supplying non human primates to UK laboratories. We have also published an aide-memoir updating the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures.
The meetings of the main Committee are regularly attended by the Head of the Home Office Animal (Scientific Procedures) Division A(SP)D and by the Chief Inspector and other members of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate (ASPI). A member of the secretariat and an inspector also take part in sub-committee meetings. The Director of the Science Policy Research Group (SRG) also occasionally attends our main meetings.
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