‘The Government’s policy on the use of animals in scientific procedures is clear and straightforward. There is still a need for the responsible use of animals for experimental and other scientific purposes to continue if improvements in healthcare and veterinary treatment are to be developed with the minimum of delay and to make proper provision to protect man and the environment from health risks and other hazards.

Our health and that of our families depends on society finding cures for the health problems and diseases that currently reduce the quality of life of millions of people around the world and condemn many to an early death. We all expect to be protected from potentially harmful substances in the home and workplace and want the countryside and wildlife to be protected from environmental pollution.’

The first paragraph is identical to the response to a previous antivivisection e-petition, which got 2,215 signatures and closed in May last year.

The second part of yesterday’s response related to strong regulation of animal research in the UK and the government’s strong support for replacement, reduction and refinement and particularly the National Centre for the Three Rs. Again, this included similar sentiments to those in the response to the antivivisection e-petition. It repeated:

‘… it is unrealistic, and would raise false hopes, to set a date by which it will be feasible to phase out animal use before scientific progress provides the means to do so.’