United Kingdom
Government opens laboratory gates to lost pets,
protects secrecy, poisoning and electrocution

the following article was originally posted at Huffington Post by Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of BUAV, on 22/05/2012

The Home Office last week released a statement on its plans to bring in a new EU law on animal experiments. The plans, such as maintaining larger minimum cage sizes than strictly necessary, have been heralded by some as good news. The overall picture is very different.

The Home Office proposes for the first time to allow stray pets to be caught and used for experiments, for "environmental" or scientific reasons. This was despite unanimous submissions by animal welfare groups supported by many research establishments that the change was both unnecessary and unwelcome. No proposals are made for ensuring that an attempt be made to rehome lost pets rather than subject them to laboratory testing.

Furthermore, by refusing to ban particular experiments, the government is content that grim procedures which would be more at home in a chamber of horrors than a civilised country may continue to be allowed.

For example, the new EU law specifically contemplates that animals in laboratories can be given electric shocks they cannot escape from, to induce "learned helplessness". Highly social animals such as dogs and primates can be locked in "complete isolation for prolonged periods". Organ transplantation where organ rejection is "likely to lead to severe distress or impairment of the general condition of the animals" is allowed, as are all manner of poisoning tests and surgery leading to severe pain or distress and "forced swim or exercise tests with exhaustion ...". The consultation heard not only from animal protection groups but also researchers that there should be a list of experiments that would never be sanctioned, but the Government has refused to rule anything out. Thousands of animal experiments for trivial purposes will continue.

To top it all off, a review of secrecy in animal research begun in 2004 has been further extended, leaving animal experiments hidden from public scrutiny, despite the government's admission that current law is insufficient in terms of EU transparency.

As taxpayers, we have a right to know what goes on, in our names, behind the closed doors of our laboratories - with due regard being paid, naturally, to personal and confidential information. As things stand, we risk lagging behind other European countries in maintaining our obsessive secrecy. Most respondents - including the animal research industry - favoured amending or repealing the clause that allows researchers to hide information about animal experiments from Freedom of Information requests. The government claims to have been reviewing this clause for the last eight years but still refuses to come to a decision. What does it have to hide?

The European public has made it overwhelmingly clear, in a YouGov poll in 2009, that it wants to see far greater openness and bans on all experiments causing severe suffering and any suffering for primates, dogs and cats. Even those respondents who will tolerate some animal testing want experiments which are not for serious medical conditions banned. Once again, the Government is intent on disregarding public opinion. 

But at this late hour it is not too late for the Government to bring the animal research industry into line with public opinion. If you think it is wrong to electrocute and poison animals, which could now include lost pets, please write to your MP.

You will find the complete list of all UK MPs in the following portal

Stand up - speak up - fight back!

Showing outrage in private, won't help. Please voice your opinion!

If you think it is wrong to electrocute and poison animals, which could now include lost pets, please write to your MP. 
You will find the complete list of all UK MPs in the following portal.

Please voice your opinion also directly at the EU (European Union). You can find the MEPs of your country easily by clicking HERE! 

IMPORTANT UPDATE
UK Government change its position regarding the use of stray cats and dogs

On 27 June, 2012, the BUAV wrote:

"The BUAV is delighted to report the latest development regarding our campaign to prevent the use of stray cats and dogs being used in experiments. Initially, the UK Government planned simply to adopt the new European legislation text, which allows testing on stray cats and dogs under some circumstances. Under pressure from the BUAV, they revised their statement to say that they “could not currently envisage” allowing tests on stray cats and dogs.

In the face of the BUAV’s ongoing campaign, the Government has now offered to strengthen this position and make it an official policy. We welcome this concession and are very grateful to all our supporters whose efforts have produced this change of position. We urge the Government to proceed with a policy statement announcing in the strongest possible terms that it is a permanent British policy not to allow testing on stray animals."

Source: BUAV