Pigs

Ministry of Defence written question – answered at on 7 July 2015.

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Photo of Kevan Jones Kevan Jones Shadow Minister (Defence)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pigs have been involved in explosive tests undertaken by his Department in each year since 2010.

Photo of Philip Dunne Philip Dunne Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Defence Procurement)

In 2014, 15 pigs were used in experiments where explosives were deployed to replicate battlefield injuries. This is an 84% reduction from the 96 used in all tests in 2009.

Figures for each year since 2010 are set out below:

2011

25

2012

15

2013

19

2014

15

Dstl Porton Down conducts less than half of one per cent of the animal experimentation carried out in the UK.

Dstl is proud of its work to develop and create battle-winning technology and protection equipment for UK Forces and Government through the best use of science and technology. The remit for Dstl to provide safe and effective protective measures for the UK and its Armed Forces against the threat posed by chemical and biological weapons and to enhance the treatment of conventional casualties on the battlefield, could not currently be achieved without the use of animals.

Each procedure is undertaken in strict accordance with the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and Dstl fully embraces the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). Dstl Porton Down is licensed to conduct research involving animals by the Home Office.

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