Animal testing in Great Britain drops by 10% – but figures show a grim reality

Animal testing in Great Britain has decreased, according to new statistics. 

Figures from the Home Office show that there were 2,761,204 uses of animals in laboratories in GB last year: a 10 percent decrease from 2021. 

The stats also show an 18 percent reduction in ‘severe’ animal tests. These types of test cause ‘the most pain and suffering to the animals’ such as long-term disease and death.

However, there were 20 severe experiments on dogs in 2022, compared to zero in 2021. There was also an 18 percent increase in severe experiments on rabbits, as well as a five percent jump in severe experiments on guinea pigs.

Moreover, moderate uses, which cause ‘significant suffering to an animal but are not life threatening’ increased by four percent. 

Animal testing in Great Britain

The majority (45 percent) of testing was on the creation and breeding of genetically altered animals; while ‘basic and curiosity-driven research that attempts to shed light on biological processes’ accounted for 29 percent of the total.

Translational research to develop treatments or cures for diseases accounted for 13 percent of tests. 10 percent was attributed to standardised tests that assess the ‘safety or effectiveness of chemicals, medicines and other products’.

Using animals to produce things like antibodies that go on to be used as medicines and in other applications only accounted for two percent of tests.

Animal welfare charity Cruelty Free International says it welcomes the decrease, but is now calling for an ‘accelerated reduction in the number of animals used in tests’.

It says this is in line with the government’s recent commitment to developing and using more non-animal methods.

‘More to be done’

Dr Emma Grange is Cruelty Free International’s Director of Science and Regulatory Affairs. In a statement sent to Vegan Food & Living, she said: “Since around 2015… The general trend has been for a small reduction, year on year, in the number of tests performed on animals in Britain.

“We welcome these latest statistics. But, there’s definitely more to be done, and we can do much better than this very gradual reduction. 

“Our work will continue to help drive these numbers down. We need the government, regulators and researchers to be proactive in ensuring that this progress not only continues but accelerates. 

“The government must honour the Home Secretary’s commitment towards developing alternatives to animal testing.”

Dr Grange added: “Any cruel animal test is one too many. We’ll continue to fight for zero animal experiments in Great Britain. 

“We’re calling for the government to draw up a plan to phase out animal testing for good, by accelerating progress and embracing opportunities for scientific innovation. 

“We need a new ministerial role to deliver the plan, dedicated to accelerating the transition and holding the government to account across all departments so that we can bring about the world free from animal testing that we all want to see.”

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