Written questions by Hobhouse.

With reference to the letter from Lord Sharpe of Epsom responding to the Animals in Science Committee forced swim test report, published on 5 March 2024, what the deadline is for ending the use of forced swim tests.

The Home Office wrote to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the UKRI in February 2024 to consider the recommendation to request further research into non-animal methods to replace the Forced Swim Test (FST).The Home Office Regulator has since reviewed all licences authorising the use of the FST under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and fully implemented the recommendations of the Animals in Science Committee.The number of project licences that authorises the forced swim test in Great Britain has decreased from nine on the 1 March 2024, to a current total of only four licences. All of these licences are due to expire by 2028.This Government has set a manifesto commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing” and will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods to animal testing later this year. This strategy supports the current scientific direction on reducing and ultimately eliminating the use of the FST (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230021001434).

How many active licences there are for the authorised use of the forced swim test.

The Home Office wrote to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the UKRI in February 2024 to consider the recommendation to request further research into non-animal methods to replace the Forced Swim Test (FST).The Home Office Regulator has since reviewed all licences authorising the use of the FST under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and fully implemented the recommendations of the Animals in Science Committee.The number of project licences that authorises the forced swim test in Great Britain has decreased from nine on the 1 March 2024, to a current total of only four licences. All of these licences are due to expire by 2028.This Government has set a manifesto commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing” and will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods to animal testing later this year. This strategy supports the current scientific direction on reducing and ultimately eliminating the use of the FST (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230021001434).

What progress she has made on ending the use of forced swim tests since writing to the (a) Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and (b) UKRI requesting expedited research to find validated replacements.

The Home Office wrote to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the UKRI in February 2024 to consider the recommendation to request further research into non-animal methods to replace the Forced Swim Test (FST).The Home Office Regulator has since reviewed all licences authorising the use of the FST under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and fully implemented the recommendations of the Animals in Science Committee.The number of project licences that authorises the forced swim test in Great Britain has decreased from nine on the 1 March 2024, to a current total of only four licences. All of these licences are due to expire by 2028.This Government has set a manifesto commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing” and will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods to animal testing later this year. This strategy supports the current scientific direction on reducing and ultimately eliminating the use of the FST (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230021001434).