Public consultation into Section 24

The Government has launched a public consultation into the repeal of Section 24 which prevents the publicising of details of animal experiments. The consultation is part of the Coalition Governments’ Delivery Plan, outlining their commitment to reduce the use of animals in scientific research, which builds on the UK’s leading position in the adoption of the 3Rs. Currently, under Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) the Home Office, who has sole responsibility for authorising and regulating all work performed under ASPA within the UK, is unable to release and information received in confidence under ASAP, even when the provider has no objection to its disclosure. The Government state that Section 24 of is: “incompatible with Coalition Government policy on openness and transparency, including the public right of access to information held by public authorities that is provided by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.” The Government say their primary objective is to increase openness and transparency in order to assist public understanding of the use of animals in scientific procedures, while not putting people or property at risk, or disclosing genuinely commercially confidential information and intellectual property which UK jobs depends on. The Physiological Society welcomes the move. “We look forward to working with the Government to help them achieve their stated goals of increasing transparency and openness in animal research, as well as their declared aim not to put people or property at risk or disclose genuinely commercially confidential information and intellectual property on which UK jobs depend," said Chief Executive, Dr Philip Wright. "The Physiological Society fully supports sensible and workable measures to increase public understanding of the use of animals in research, which continues to play a small but fundamental role in the ability of the UK to undertake world leading research. The Physiological Society signed the Declaration of Openness on Animal Research in 2012 and has been actively involved in the development of the resultant Concordat. The Physiological Society will consider the options in the consultation document in detail and will feedback to the Home Office." The Home Office has already had initial consultation with animal welfare and animal protection groups, the UK life sciences sector, research funding bodies, practitioners and others with an interest in the use of animals in scientific research. The six-week public consultation will begin on 1^st May and close on 13^th June 2014. Responses may be made via an online form. Once closed the response will be analysed and a Response to Consultation document published. More information The 3Rs: Replacement of animals with non-animal methods as appropriate; Reduction of the numbers of animals used; and Refinement of procedures to minimise harm to animals involved. Nation Centre of the Replacement Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research Consultation of the review of Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986