ATLA::Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Volume 23, Number 1

The role of the Home Office Inspector.

ATLA 23, 39-49, January/February 1995

Donald W. Straughan

FRAME, Russell & Burch House, 96-98 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham NG1 4EE, UK

SUMMARY

The organisation, qualifications and duties of the Home Office Inspectorate under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, and the assessment of project licence applications are reviewed. Project assessment has evolved in the light of practical experience, and as a result of changes in knowledge and policy on "best practice". It seems likely that the philosophy, design and analysis of experiments will improve further as a consequence of changing attitudes and education. The effectiveness of the controls on animal experiments and their assessment are noted. Although the number of animal experiments continues to decline with time, the number of licensees is more stable, and it is suggested that a modest increase in the numbers of Inspectors (from the present 21) would be of value. However, this would probably have to be justified by meaningful performance indicators, if these could be devised.

Keywords: UK legislation, animal experiments, Inspectors, project assessment, statistics