Policy paper

Replacing animals in science strategy

The strategy will help create, test, and adopt alternative methods to animal testing so we can work towards phasing out the use of animals in all but exceptional circumstances.

• From: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Home Office and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 11 November 2025

This was published under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government

Documents

Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5871-3, E03395783 11/25, CP 1429

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Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods (web-accessible)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5871-3, E03395783 11/25, CP 1429

PDF, 1.04 MB, 61 pages

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Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods (print ready)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5871-3, E03395783 11/25, CP 1429

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Total number of scientific procedures on living animals in Great Britain, 1986 to 2024

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Details

This strategy explains how we will use the UK’s world-class life sciences sector to develop a research and innovation system that uses alternative methods instead of animals. It explains the steps we will take over the next 5 years to achieve this vision.

The strategy has 6 objectives:

• accelerate the replacement of animals in science to phase out their use
• achieve equal or better research and testing outcomes using alternative methods
• drive private investment in alternative methods to boost innovation and growth
• improve regulatory confidence and acceptance of alternative methods
• create infrastructure and partnerships to unlock value from UK data
• position the UK as a global leader in alternative methods

Published 11 November 2025