European Election Issues: Animal Welfare and research

The Conservative Party is committed to the highest standards of animal welfare.
 
The Conservative 2014 European Election Manifesto pledges to actively work to improve animal welfare standards and ensure that rules are properly enforced throughout the EU.

We continue to champion the highest standards of animal welfare and in Europe we have led the way by pushing for tough legal action against countries who have failed to adhere to the phased bans on battery cages for chickens and sow stalls for pigs throughout the EU.

The UK Government are committed to reducing the use of animals in research. The scientific case for developing new techniques that do not involve animals is as strong as the moral one.

Working to reduce ‘the 3Rs’. The Government has outlined how it will work to reduce, replace and refine the use of animals in research – known as ‘the 3Rs’.  It has recently launched a delivery plan, which is part of a Government commitment to create a science-led approach to reduce the use of animals in the biosciences. The plan will contribute to maintaining the UK’s position as a world leader in science and technology.

The plan will ensure better science is delivered alongside the highest levels of welfare for animals used in research. The UK’s National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) has been leading the way in this area, and has already invested over £35 million to support this work. As a result, trials into cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, as well as toxicity testing, have all seen reductions in animal use.

Animals are only used when there are no suitable alternatives. But the results we get from research can transform lives and pave the way for new and ground breaking medical advances. By encouraging new cutting-edge approaches to science we will not only improve standards of animal welfare but also reduce costs to industry.

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