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MPs to debate animal testing petition
The debate will provide opportunities for MPs to question the Government directly on this issue.

The debate will take place on Monday 7 February. 

On Monday 7 February, MPs will debate e-petition 591775, which asks the Government to amend the Animal Welfare Act (2006) to consider laboratory animals.

Titled 'Change the law to include laboratory animals in the Animal Welfare Act', the petition gained over 110,000 signatures.

The petition states: “The Government needs to change the law so laboratory animals are included in the Animal Welfare Act.

“Laboratory animals are currently not protected by the Act and are therefore victims of 'unnecessary suffering'..

“A recent exposé showed harrowing footage of the factory farming of laboratory dogs in the UK. Experiments on such dogs, and other animals, are today widely reported to be entirely failing the search for human treatments and cures.

“Current science from multiple fields proves that animal-based research and testing is not viable. The Government should therefore change the law to include laboratory animals under the protection of the Animal Welfare Act, to prevent their unnecessary suffering.”

Martyn Day, a member of the Petitions Committee, will open the debate, and Kit Malthouse MP, Minister of State at the Home Office, will respond to the petition.

In a response to the petition, the Government said: “The Government believes animal use for research remains important and The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) provides specific protection for these animals.

“The Government has no plans to amend the Animal Welfare Act (2006).

“We consider enabling the properly regulated use of animals in science is essential to improving the health and lives of humans and animals and to the safety and sustainability of our environment.

“Underpinning this is a strong commitment to a rigorous regulatory framework that fully implements the 3Rs and the continued development of non-animal alternatives.”

The full response can be read here.

Beginning at 4.30pm in Westminster Hall, the debate will last up to three hours, and will be available to view on both Parliament TV and YouTube.

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.