Last week I had the opportunity to meet with Lord Sir Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, following my recent letter to him highlighting concerns regarding MBR Acres.
Lord Vallance confirmed that the Government’s strategy on the phasing out of animals in medical testing will be published before the end of this year.
Whilst the progress made in the United States looks promising we are still some way from widespread approval of non-animal methods. Key to this will be ongoing discussions to ensure MHRA harmonisation so that any new drugs developed without animal testing are fully recognised for international use. AI will also play a key role in unlocking non-animal methods and eliminating the need for replicating historical animal testing for data comparison.
Beyond that we discussed MBR Acres, which the Government recently announced is part of our National Security Strategy.
There have been recent questions around provision of gas supply at MBR Acres. I have been informed that gas supply is critical to keeping the cooling systems functioning, particularly during the recent periods of hot weather.
Were it to close in the short term dogs would be imported from MBR’s site in Gannet, France. It is not clear what would happen to any remaining dogs at MBR Acres were the site to close.
I stressed to him concerns that the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU) is yet to conduct its annual review of MBR Acres and hasn’t done so in now over 12 months.
I will continue to liaise with Lord Vallance regarding the forthcoming strategy publication and understand the steps he is taking to move away from the involvement of animals in medical testing and therefore the need for a facility such as MBR Acres. I will continue to share any updates publicly so that constituents and campaigners alike are aware of the work being done and direction of travel.
