Legislation
UK and European Legislation
This page provides links to reference material relevant to the use of animals in scientific procedures.
UK legislation
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Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
This information is on Offical Archives website. The link will open in a new window.
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Guidance on the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (new window)
This information is on Offical Archives website. The link will open in a new window.
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Codes of Practice
Download Codes of Practice relating to care and housing of laboratory animals, including breeding and humane killing.
European legislation
Background
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European Directive 86/609/EEC (new window)
This information is on the European Union website.
Council Directive 86/609/EEC makes provision for the protection of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes. It is transposed into United Kingdom law by the Animals (Scientific procedures) Act 1986.
At the 19th meeting of National Competent Authorities on 29 November 2001, the European Commission announced that it intended to review and revise Directive 86/609/EEC. The proposals have now been published and can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/lab_animals/pdf/com_2008_543.pdf (new window)
This will now be considered, under the European co-decision procedure, by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
The Home Office will shortly begin a dialogue with stakeholders, including a consultation, to inform the UK Government's negotiating position.
Expert Working Group
The Commission has set up a Technical Expert Working Group to assist in the review and revision of the Directive. The first meeting of the working group was held in Brussels on 30 June and 1 July 2003. The Chief Inspector of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate represents the Home Office on the working group.
Consultation
We are currently considering how best to consult UK stakeholders on the review.
