Correspondence

Establishment of alternatives to the use of animals in science committee

Published 28 April 2026

Commission of policy advice from the Animals in Science Committee

Establishment of Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Science Committee

Date: 26 March 2026

Author: Office for Life Sciences

Approved by: Deputy Director, Office for Life Sciences

Policy summary: The Government is seeking advice from the Animals in Science Committee on the establishment of an expert committee in alternatives to animals in science, as committed to in the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy. Advice is sought on the scope, governance and composition of such a committee, and how it could most effectively support progress on the replacement of animals in science while complementing existing structures.

1. Policy issue

The Government is seeking advice from the Animals in Science Committee on the establishment of an expert committee in alternatives to animals in science, as committed to in the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy. Advice is sought on the scope, governance and composition of such a committee, and how it could most effectively support progress on the replacement of animals in science while complementing existing structures.

2. Context

The Replacing Animals in Science Strategy recognises that progress on replacing animals in science requires coordinated action across policy, regulation, research and innovation. There is an established landscape of organisations contributing to this agenda, including the Animals in Science Committee, the Regulator, and bodies such as the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs). The Strategy’s implementation includes the establishment of new governance and delivery bodies, including ministerial and official‑level groups to oversee and coordinate delivery. These arrangements, alongside existing advisory and regulatory organisations, will form the future system for alternatives to the use of animals in science. The question of an alternatives committee should therefore be considered in the round: how it complements existing structures, and how it can best support and inform this emerging system as it matures.

While these organisations play important roles, the strategy identified a potential need for a dedicated forum to provide focused, cross-cutting advice on alternatives to animal use, particularly in relation to replacement. Clarification is therefore needed on how an alternatives committee could operate within the existing system, support strategic coherence, and help drive progress in line with the objectives of the strategy.

3. Evidence

As part of the formulation of the Replacing Animals in Science Strategy, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology gathered and assessed a comprehensive body of evidence on the current and future use of animals in research, and on the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods. This evidence was drawn from extensive engagement with government departments, regulators, research funders, industry, animal welfare organisations, and the scientific community, alongside analysis of the existing regulatory framework, technological developments, and barriers to adoption of non‑animal approaches. The resulting strategy sets out a science‑led assessment of where animals continue to be used, where validated alternatives already exist, and where targeted action can accelerate replacement while maintaining the safety, effectiveness and integrity of the UK research and regulatory system. The Animals in Science Committee (ASC) is therefore invited to refer to the published strategy as a consolidated and authoritative summary of the relevant evidence base for this commission.

4. Evidence sought from the Animals in Science Committee

The Government wishes to receive advice from the Committee on the following:

• The potential remit of an alternatives committee, including its objectives and scope.
• Options for governance, membership and ways of working.
• How such a committee could most effectively support progress on the replacement of the use of animals in science.
• How an alternatives committee could best complement existing structures and organisations involved in animals in science and alternatives. This includes comprehensive mapping of the existing system, and how those that are going to be developed will fit into this.

The Committee may wish to make other recommendations as it sees appropriate. The Committee is asked to provide written advice on the questions set out above by 3 months from the date of this letter.

5. Process

How will the Committee provide advice?

The Committee will provide written advice to the UK Government in line with its statutory remit, as set out in Section 20 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986:

(1) The Committee must provide advice to the Secretary of State and the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies on such matters relating to the acquisition, breeding, accommodation, care and use of protected animals as the Committee may determine or as may be referred to the Committee by the Secretary of State.

(2) In its consideration of any matter the Committee shall have regard both to the legitimate requirements of science and industry and to the protection of animals against avoidable suffering and unnecessary use in scientific procedures.

(3) The Committee must take such steps as it considers appropriate to ensure the sharing of best practice in relation to the acquisition, breeding, accommodation, care and use of protected animals.

In developing its advice, the Committee may wish to gather relevant evidence by engaging stakeholders concerned with science and industry, animal protection, and regulated establishments.