On Monday 25 October, MPs will debate e-petitions 581641 and 590216, relating to animal testing. Martyn Day, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. The Government will send a minister to respond.
‘Ban Animal Testing – Fund, accept & promote alternatives to animal testing’
The petition, which has more than 235,000 signatures, states: “We would like the Government to ban all animal testing UK, including for the development of cosmetics, household products and medicines. Alternatives need to be actively funded. Many products that are tested on animals end up not being suitable for humans. Animal testing is outmoded and should end.”
In its response to the petition, provided on 4 August 2021, the Government said: “Scientific research using animals is vital in understanding how biological systems work in health and disease. Government oversees development of 3Rs techniques and delivery of robust regulation.”
‘Plan to phase out animal experiments’
The petition, which has more than 83,000 signatures, states: “The Government must recognise the urgent need to use animal-free science and publish a clear and ambitious action plan with timetables and milestones to drive the phase-out of animal experiments. As well as preventing animal suffering, this will benefit public health and business.”
In its response to the petition, provided on 4 August 2021, the Government said: “The Government funds and supports the development of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (3Rs). This is primarily delivered by the National Centre for the 3Rs.”
The debate will last 90 minutes, and will provide opportunities for MPs to question the Government directly on this issue. The debate will take place in Westminster Hall from 18:00, and will be available to view on Parliament TV and on YouTube.
Petition details
- ‘Ban Animal Testing – Fund, accept & promote alternatives to animal testing’ – view on petition signature map.
- ‘Plan to phase out animal experiments’ – view on petition signature map.
- Any Library Briefing Papers for this debate will be available here.
Follow the debate
- Watch the debate live online: https://parliamentlive.tv/Commons or https://youtu.be/w6_AKzQt9D4
- Read the debate transcript: House of Commons – Hansard – UK Parliament
- Follow the Committee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hocpetitions
- You can also follow the debate with the hashtag: #AnimalTestingDebate
Where in the country were these petitions signed?
The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition ‘Ban Animal Testing – Fund, accept & promote alternatives to animal testing’ are as follows:
Constituency | MP | Signature Count |
Cities of London and Westminster | Nickie Aiken MP | 3127 |
Liverpool, Riverside | Kim Johnson MP | 1229 |
North West Cambridgeshire | Shailesh Vara MP | 1060 |
North East Cambridgeshire | Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP | 986 |
West Dunbartonshire | Martin Docherty-Hughes MP | 924 |
Paisley and Renfrewshire North | Gavin Newlands MP | 859 |
Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill | Steven Bonnar MP | 843 |
Huntingdon | Mr Jonathan Djanogly MP | 841 |
Rutherglen and Hamilton West | Margaret Ferrier MP | 810 |
Garston and Halewood | Maria Eagle MP | 785 |
The top 10 parliamentary constituencies that supported the petition ‘Plan to phase out animal experiments’, as at 20 October are as follows:
Constituency | MP | Signature Count |
Brighton, Pavilion | Caroline Lucas MP | 348 |
Isle of Wight | Bob Seely MP | 302 |
Hove | Peter Kyle MP | 256 |
Bristol South | Karin Smyth MP | 236 |
North West Cambridgeshire | Shailesh Vara MP | 229 |
South Norfolk | Mr Richard Bacon MP | 225 |
Hastings and Rye | Sally-Ann Hart MP | 220 |
Wells | James Heappey MP | 218 |
North East Bedfordshire | Richard Fuller MP | 216 |
Bristol West | Thangam Debbonaire MP | 215 |