Role of the ASC in the alternatives strategy: letter to Lord Vallance (accessible)
Published 2 March 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asc-role-in-the-alternatives-strategy-letter-to-lord-vallance/role-of-the-asc-in-the-alternatives-strategy-letter-to-lord-vallance-accessible
Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee
5th Floor, 2 Ruskin Square, Broad Green, Croydon, CR0 2WF
Email: asc.secretariat@homeoffice.gov.uk
15 January 2026
Dear Lord Vallance,
Follow up to meeting between Minister and Animals in Science Committee Chair
Thank you for your time at our meeting of 7 January 2026. I found it to be an incredibly helpful and productive meeting, particularly on the role of the Animals in Science Committee (ASC) in delivering the alternatives strategy.
I was especially pleased to hear the Minister’s drive to make quick progress on delivering the commitments made in the alternatives strategy. As you are aware, there are three key areas where the ASC have been given a role: the Chair sitting on the cross-government Ministerial committee on alternative methods; input into the development of and oversight of the creation of the alternatives methods committee; and the ability of DSIT to commission advice from the ASC as appropriate. Separately, the ASC will be commissioned to provide recommendations on corporate responsibility reporting expectations by establishments using animals on their use of alternatives. During the meeting, we also agreed that the wider ASC should be involved in the official-led group on the alternatives strategy to provide input at a more operational level, with regular review on how this is working.
I look forward to hearing from your officials regarding the dates of the first meeting of the cross-government Ministerial group and the official-led group. My office would be happy to liaise with yours to find a suitable time slot.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee