Home Department written question – answered at on 14 January 2008.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the potential for adverse physical and psychological effects, other than those included in the Guidance Notes to Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, to be experienced by animals for each of the severity bandings used to classify scientific procedures on animals; how often the procedures that fall within these bandings are reviewed; and when the last revision took place.
holding answer
Severity of suffering is classified in four categories: "unclassified", "mild", "moderate" or "substantial". Sections 5.40 to 5.49 of the Home Office Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (HC321) explain how these levels are assigned and provide examples of some of the adverse effects they may entail. The current guidance was published in March 2000 following a review of earlier guidance published in February 1990. At present, we have no plans to review the guidance as a whole or to expand on the examples provided in respect of severity limits.
The severity of suffering authorised in project licences is reviewed by inspectors during visits of inspection and in discussion with licensees. Severity is also reviewed by inspectors when amendments to existing protocols are considered. In addition, a standard condition of issue requires that project licence holders report to the Secretary of State if the severity limit of a protocol appears to have been or is likely to be breached, at which point the severity of the protocol is also reviewed. One of the duties of local ethical review processes in designated establishments is also to ensure that severity is minimised throughout the duration of project licences.
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