MPs to debate including laboratory animals in the Animal Welfare Act
On Monday 7 February, MPs will e-petition 591775, relating to laboratory animals and the Animal Welfare Act. Martyn Day MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. Kit Malthouse MP, Minister of State at the Home Office, will respond.
The petition demands that the government: ‘change the law to include laboratory animals in the Animal Welfare Act’.
The petition page, which has more than 110,000 signatures, explains: “The government needs to change the law so laboratory animals are included in the Animal Welfare Act. Laboratory animals are currently not protected by the Act and are therefore victims of ‘unnecessary suffering’”
In its response to the petition, provided on 20 August 2021, the government said: “The government believes animal use for research remains important and The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) provides specific protection for these animals.”
The debate will last up to three hours, and will provide opportunities for MPs to question the government directly on this issue.
The debate will take place in Westminster Hall from 16:30.
