Massive rise in Scottish animal experiments

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 13:42

The number of scientific experiments on animals rose by 42% in Scotland last year. The majority of this increase was due to more fish being used by universities and medical schools.

The UK Government statistics show 555,567 animal experiments were conducted in Scotland compared with 392,671 in 2007. Scotland accounts for about 15% of the UK’s experiments.

Among the animals used by government departments, universities and pharmaceutical companies were (290,081), fish (184,335), rats (49,009), birds (6,193), sheep (4,802), rabbits (2,571), guinea pigs (2,428), dogs (994), primates (929), pigs (883), hamsters (688), amphibians (383), horses (9), cats (8).

Libby Anderson, Policy Director at Advocates for Animals, said:

“This kind of huge increase in experiments is unprecedented, and a great disappointment in a year when the use of animals has been under so much scrutiny as a new European Directive on experiments is being considered.

"The huge increase in the numbers of fish used in experiments is of concern - it is now known that fish are capable of suffering pain and distress like other animals. It would be so much better to see science in Scotland moving towards the replacement of all animal experimentation with advanced non-animal alternatives. Meantime, we can all help to reduce experimentation on animals by choosing to buy cruelty-free products such as cosmetics and household products."

David Martin, Labour MEP, and vice-President of Advocates for Animals added: “This is a moral issue and one that brings shame to Scotland. As a country of great prowess in moral philosophy and scientific excellence we should be leading the field in non-animal methods of scientific experiment.”

The 2008 figures were revealed in answers to parliamentary questions table to the Home Office by Katy Clark MP at the request of Advocates for Animals.