Naturewatch Lobbying

Naturewatch lobbies MPs for measures that will encourage the use of non-animal alternatives in scientific procedures, and halt increases in the numbers of animals used.

April 2011 - Naturewatch briefs MPs on the benefits of humane research

Not only humane, and more economica, non animals tests can provide results faster. Quickening the development of new drugs, lowering the cost of research and developement, which in turn reduces the cost charged to the NHS. More...

May 2010 - The general election saw the highest number of new MPs entering parliament for decades.

In order to introduce new MPs to the debate surrounding animals in scientific procedures and hi-tech humane alternatives, Naturewatch produced an MP Briefing: "In your hands - the future of humane scientific research"

Over a third of MPs sign EDM 545

Early Day Motion 545 highlighted the steady rise in animals used in experiments over 10 years and urged the government to do more to promote the pioneering work being done in the UK to develop hi-tech methods that replace animals. These methods include tissue engineering, bio-chips, micro-dosing and computer models that mimic virutal human beings. Not only humane, they hold the potential to be more human relevant.

Martin Horwood tabled EDM 545 on behalf of Naturewatch. He said, "I am absolutely delighted by the response from right across the House of Commons, including 123 Labour MPs, 52 Conservatives and 53 Lib Dems - nearly all of the parliamentary Liberal party. I think this demonstrates a real mood for change and for much more active promotion of alternatives to animal research."

A total of 268 MPs signed Early Day Motion 545 making it the sixth most highly supported EDM in the 2009 parliamentary session, out of 2421 EDMs! Click here to read Press Release. Click here to read MP Briefing.

Early Day Motion 2183 and Naturewatch MP Briefing Document

In response to the release of Home Office animal testing figures showing unprecedented levels of animal testing, Naturewatch issued an MP Briefing Document (Oct 2008) that outlined serious deficiencies in the present system of licensing animal experiments. The MP Briefing also suggested practical measures to quicken the pace of progress to non-animal alternatives, including a duty to be paid for every animal used – the revenue of which would be invested into the development of non-animal alternatives. View Early Day Motion 2183 - Scientific Procedures on Animals: encouraging the use of non-animal alternatives.

Early Day Motion 1627

Throughout 2007 Naturewatch lobbied MPs to tackle the shortfall in funding for non-animal alternatives and increase funding to the NC3Rs. In December 2007 we were delighted to hear Science and Innovation minister, Ian Pearson MP announce a substantial increase of funding over the next three years.

View MP Briefing - Who will listen? highlighting a serious lack of progress by the Government during the years 1997-2007.

Early Day Motion 1627 tabled by Martin Horwood on behalf of Naturewatch, called on the Government to start making a meaningful commitment to researching alternative, non-animal, testing methods by increasing its annual funding, which currently falls well below an acceptable level. Background information to support the tabling of Early Day Motion 1627 can be found here [pdf]

Naturewatch regularly lobbies industry to adopt cruelty free policies

Key meetings include:

Meeting with the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) - Click here to read our report [pdf]
Naturewatch help Marks and Spencer adopt a Fixed Cut Off Date - Click here to read press release [pdf]