Thematic approach to project licence application review: letter to Lord Hanson (accessible version)
Published 18 May 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
Email: asc.secretariat@homeoffice.gov.uk
9 December 2025
Proposal for a thematic approach to Animals in Science Committee project licence application review
Dear Lord Hanson,
The Animals in Science Committee (ASC) is responsible for providing impartial, balanced and objective advice to the Home Office on matters relating to the use of animals in scientific procedures.
We are writing to propose a strategic shift in our approach to reviewing project licences that involve animals in scientific procedures. Currently, individual licences are referred to the ASC on a case-by-case basis. While this process allows for detailed scrutiny before a licence is granted, it lacks consistency and limits the broader impact of our advice to the specific licence under review. It also places a disproportionate demand on Committee time and resources and introduces variability in workload as Committee membership changes.
To address these challenges, the ASC proposes transitioning to a thematic review model. This approach would involve grouping project licences by shared characteristics, such as severity, species, or disease area, and conducting focused reviews across these clusters. Thematic reviews can improve our analysis and offer strategic recommendations that benefit a wider range of licences and establishments. This approach allows us to highlight good practice, apply consistent learnings, and improve identification of trends, while being able to draw on targeted expertise through co-option, and maintaining flexibility for reviewing individual licences where necessary.
Crucially, I believe this approach will have greater impacts on improving animal welfare across the board.
We have already seen the value of this approach. For example, our thematic review of licences involving the forced swim test[footnote 1] led to targeted recommendations to the Regulator, which prompted a formal governmental response[footnote 2] requiring improved scientific justification for its use and the implementation of refinements in all ongoing licences and future applications.
In contrast, our advice on individual licence reviews, such as recommending enhanced welfare monitoring or clarifying licence application wording, while valuable, tends to have a narrower scope and impact. By using a themed approach to review licences in parallel with other similar licences, the ASC will be able to ensure consistent, high quality and assured advice that ASRU can continue to apply to new licence applications in future.
We believe that adopting a thematic model will improve the ASC’s ability to deliver high-quality, consistent advice with broader welfare benefits. The proposal attached to this letter outlines the key benefits, risks, and mitigation strategies of this approach.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee