Alternative Methods Expert Committee commission: letter to Lord Hanson (accessible)
Published 6 July 2026
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Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee
5th Floor, 2 Ruskin Square
Broad Green
Croydon
CR0 2WF
1 July 2026
Dear Lord Vallance,
Deadline for commission on establishment the alternative methods expert committee Thank you for your letter of 26 March 2026 commissioning the Animals in Science Committee (ASC) on the establishment of an expert committee in alternatives to animals in science.
I am writing to update you on the ASC’s progress with this commission and to request a revised deadline.
In your letter, you asked the ASC to provide their written advice on the questions set out by 26 June 2026. The ASC is making excellent progress with this commission, and the draft report and recommendations is nearing completion. However, due to some delays with availability of evidence and key stakeholders, we have not yet been able to finalise and ratify the report.
To allow the ASC to deliver high-quality independent advice to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, following appropriate processes of scrutiny and review from the wider Committee, I would like to formally request a deadline extension to 24 July 2026.
I would be grateful for your response agreeing this revised deadline, or if required, the opportunity to meet with you or your officials to discuss further.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee