3Rs and the use of animal research

The UK Government has announced that it is establishing a national centre for research into the 3Rs and animal welfare.

The centre, which will be known as the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, will report to the Office of Science and Technology. Funding for the 3Rs will double from £330,000 to £660,000 this financial year, with further increases expected thereafter.

The Government believes that current developments in science are providing significantly more opportunities to do work on the 3Rs - replacement of animal use, refinement of the procedures involved to minimise suffering and reduction of the number of animals used.

The increased funding will ensure that we can take advantage of these opportunities.

A Board chaired by Lord Turnberg, Scientific Adviser to the Association of Medical Research Charities, will provide strategic vision and direction. The vice-chair will be Professor Paul Flecknell, Professor of Laboratory Animal Science at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Membership of the Board will be agreed by the new chair and it is envisaged it will include representation from animal welfare groups, industry, the scientific community and government.

Announcing the centre, Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury said: 'While I believe that animals still need to be used in research and testing, I also believe strongly that a major opportunity now exists to make progress in replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals and improving their welfare.'

Home Office Minister Caroline Flint said: 'The UK has one of the most rigorous licensing systems for animal experimentation in the world. We only license the use of animals in scientific procedures where it is absolutely necessary.

'But it is vital we maintain the good progress that has already been made on replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals wherever possible. The centre will also lead the important work on promoting the welfare of animals used in scientific procedures.'

The new National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research will:

develop a UK strategy for the implementation of the 3Rs;

fund high quality research that advances the 3Rs;

provide advice on the 3Rs and animal welfare to the scientific community; and

work with regulators on the acceptance of alternative methods for regulatory toxicology.

The Centre for Best Practice for Animals in Research (CBPAR) established by the Medical Research Council will form the core of the new centre.

The announcement implements the recommendation of a House of Lords Select Committee investigation into animals in scientific procedures, that a Centre for the 3Rs should be established.