Strengthening leading practice: letter to Lord Hanson (accessible)
Published 19 January 2026
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From:
Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee
5th Floor
2 Ruskin Square
Broad Green
Croydon
CR0 2WF
asc.secretariat@homeoffice.gov.uk
Dear Lord Hanson,
Animals in Science Committee – Strengthening leading practice in the animals in science sector
In November 2024, the Animals in Science Committee (ASC) was commissioned to provide advice on strengthening leading practice through the regulated sector. I am pleased to enclose the advice of the ASC following this review.
The report summarises the findings of the Leading Practice Subgroup from its review of published evidence, interviews with key stakeholders in the landscape, its public call for evidence and its workshop attended by respondents to the call for evidence. The ASC have reviewed the Subgroup’s report and ratified its findings.
In summary, the review identified significant gaps in the system of leading practice, including unclear roles and responsibilities, the absence of a framework for transitioning emerging practices into best and good practice, and insufficient incentives for establishments to innovate and adopt improvements. It also highlights barriers such as limited time, funding and expertise, alongside risks (whether real or perceived) to funding and publication which have further hindered progress.
The ASC has made eleven recommendations in total. Nine of these relate to strengthening leading practice in the animals in science sector, and two recommendations provide advice on areas for further work. As requested by the commission, the ASC has focused on recommendations for the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) and the regulated sector, whilst recognising the importance of the roles and responsibilities of other key actors in the landscape.
The main recommendation of the report is that a structured framework should be implemented which facilitates the development of emerging practices and their sharing and uptake across the regulated sector as the evidence base for their effectiveness grows. Other recommendations focus on cultivating an innovative environment where these emerging practices can be developed, and on improving existing processes in the system.
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 who took the time to respond to our call for evidence, attend our interviews and attend our workshop to 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,
Dr Sally Robinson Chair of the Animals in Science Committee