UK Government Unveils Strategy to Phase Out Animal Testing

Tue Nov 11 2025 15:32:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government has launched a comprehensive plan aimed at phasing out animal testing, committing to replace animal experiments with alternative methods by 2030.

In a significant shift, the UK government has laid out a roadmap to phase out animal testing, aiming to eliminate the use of animals in major safety tests by the end of this year and to reduce the use of dogs and primates by 35% by 2030. The plan emphasizes the adoption of innovative alternatives such as human cell testing and AI-driven approaches. While recent declines in animal testing numbers are noted, experts caution that achieving a near-zero animal test scenario may be challenging, urging careful implementation of new methods to ensure safety in scientific research.

The UK government has detailed for the first time how it aims to fulfil its manifesto pledge to work toward phasing out animal testing.

The new plans include replacing animal testing for some major safety tests by the end of this year and cutting the use of dogs and non-human primates in tests for human medicines by at least 35% by 2030.

The Labour Party said in its manifesto that it would 'partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing'.

Science Minister Lord Vallance stated that he envisions a future where the use of animals in science is nearly obsolete, although he recognizes the time required to achieve this goal.

Animal experiments in the UK peaked at 4.14 million in 2015 but fell to 2.88 million by 2020 as alternative methods emerged. The government aims to catalyze a new decline in animal testing by implementing alternatives such as experiments using human cells and AI technologies.

Upcoming changes involve ceasing the use of animals for specific safety tests, such as the pyrogen test on rabbits, in favor of human cell-based methods.

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London are at the forefront of developing 'organ-on-a-chip' technology, which mimics organ functions and may allow for drug testing without the use of animals.

Despite optimism regarding alternative methods, some experts caution about the feasibility of completely eliminating animal tests, emphasizing the complexity of biological systems that current alternatives cannot fully replicate.

The government has committed to bolster research funding and set up a centre focused on validating alternative methods as part of this transformative initiative.