The Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) has welcomed the UK Government’s ‘Replacing Animals in Science’ strategy, strongly supporting its commitment to improving animal welfare, the principles of the 3Rs – Replacement, Reduction and Refinement – and its ambition for the UK to become a global leader in alternative non-animal methods.
While endorsing greater investment in alternative approaches, VSC highlights that research involving animals is not undertaken solely to advance human health but involves a broader range of activities. Research might directly benefit animals themselves, for instance, also delivering wider societal benefits through improvements in animal welfare, food security, environmental sustainability, and public and ecosystem health. VSC believes that a narrow interpretation of “animals in science” risks overlooking the value of research conducted to improve animal health and welfare itself.
VSC, therefore, stresses that implementation of the strategy must be proportionate, inclusive and nuanced. It must recognise the current limitations of non-animal alternatives, ensure veterinary expertise informs decisions around scientific appropriateness of alternative models, and maintain a clear understanding of the value and breadth of animal-focused research.
