Legislative responsibilities

The use of animals in experiments and testing is regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).

The Act was revised as part of the transposition of the European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The revised legislation came into force on 1 January 2013. ASPA is implemented by the Home Office in England, Scotland and Wales and by the Department for Health, Social Security and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.

Licences

Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, we are required to hold three licences in order to use animals in our research.

Learn more about the licences we hold

Species and statistics

Our licences with the Home Office require us to submit annual reports with regards to the species bred and used in our research.

See our annual reports

Training

In accordance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, we are required to employ a Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO) to ensure that those dealing with animals in research have the appropriate training to do so.

Find out more about our training

Open response to PETA UK Universities campaign

PETA UK led a campaign and a petition asking for Universities to halt using animals in research and experiments. We, alongside other UK Universities, responded to PETA UK.

Read our open response to PETA UK

National Institutes of Health

Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)

Institutions outside the U.S. who receive Public Health Service (PHS) funds directly through a grant or contract awarded to them, are requested to hold an Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) (through the National Institutes of Health) approved assurance, prior to carrying out any activity that involves live vertebrate animals.

Foreign assurances are negotiated with institutions that:

control their own animal facilities
conduct animal research on-site
have an animal care and use program with an authorised institutional signing official

The University of Leicester is listed on the Foreign Institutions of Health website and hold a PHS Approved Animal Welfare Assurance.