On Tuesday, 5 November, Bob Blackman CBE, Conservative MP for Harrow East, sponsored a special reception at the Palace of Westminster hosted by PETA. Over 30 MPs joined Blackman to push for a government-led plan to phase out animal experimentation in the UK.
The event, titled “A Roadmap for Non-Animal Science in the UK,” highlighted PETA’s Research Modernisation Deal, a report by PETA scientists that offers a strategy for ending animal experiments and advancing non-animal testing methods.
“Animal experiments translate poorly to humans, and yet, the UK is one of the most prolific users of animals. Advances in science and technology provide new methods that can deliver reliable results without causing harm to living beings. We must do all we can to support their development and use. It is essential the government establish a roadmap to phase out all experiments on animals and ensure that the UK leads in innovative, humane research practices,” says Blackman.
PETA Science Policy Advisor Dr Kimberley Jayne stated, “Every year, millions of mice, rats, fish, dogs, monkeys, rabbits, and other animals are caged, subjected to physical and psychological torment, and killed in unreliable experiments that do little to advance human health. PETA is calling on the government to commit to ending all experiments on animals. It must stop wasting money and lives on archaic animal experimentation and switch to modern research methods that actually help people.”
In 2023, over 2.68 million animals were subjected to testing in British labs, with many others bred and discarded as “surplus.” The government has previously committed to phasing out animal testing, and PETA is urging the public to hold it to this promise by advocating for a clear roadmap.
Also present at the event were MPs John McDonnell and Adrian Ramsay, as well as actor Jamie Bamber, a supporter of PETA. PETA continues to oppose speciesism and advocates that “animals are not ours to experiment on.” Further details can be found at PETA.org.uk or via PETA’s social media channels.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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