Non-human primates used in service licences: letter to Lord Hanson (accessible)
Published 24 October 2024
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Prof David Main, Chair of the Animals Science Committee
5th Floor
2 Ruskin Square
Broad Green
Croydon
CR0 2WF
17 October 2024
Dear Lord Hanson,
Animals in Science Committee – Non-Human Primates Used in Service Licences Advice
In January 2023, the Animals in Science Committee (ASC) self-commissioned a workstream in which it would undertake a review of current licences authorising the use of non-human primates (NHPs) in procedures that have been assigned a prospective severity category of either “unclassified”, “mild” or “moderate”. I am pleased to enclose the advice of the ASC following this review.
The report summarises the findings of the Project Licence Strategic Review Subgroup from its review of these licences, provided by the Home Office. Following the initial licence review and identification of important themes, the Subgroup focused its review on 11 project licences that used NHPs in safety or metabolism testing, or for the supply of blood and tissue, which account for the majority of the scientific procedures involving NHPs in the UK. The Subgroup additionally considered evidence provided by project licence holders and other relevant stakeholders in the animals in science landscape.
In summary, the review found multiple issues surrounding a lack of detail within licences, which was in contrast to the information provided by licence holders in response to the Subgroup’s questionnaire. The licences lacked detail on the justification for the use of NHPs, their re-use, and the application of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs). Moreover, the review found a systemic failure to link the animal test being performed with the identity or specific intended use of the substance being tested under these licences. Finally, the report highlights the need for more accessible non-technical summaries communicating research to the public.
The ASC has made twelve recommendations to resolve the issues highlighted by this review, and to strengthen future regulatory oversight of the use of NHPs in service licences. The intended audience of each recommendation has been specified in Section 6.
The ASC would like to thank the Home Office for its assistance to the ASC during this review. Additionally, we would like to extend our thanks to the stakeholders and project licence holders who took the time to respond to our questionnaires and provide valuable evidence for this report.
We look forward to working with the Home Office in support of the implementation of these recommendations.
Yours sincerely,
Professor David Main
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee