The UK has announced a plan to reduce animal use in research, aiming to end some test types this year and cut use of dogs and monkeys by 35% by 2030. The strategy prioritises computer modelling and in vitro methods and follows similar moves in the US and EU. Officials note animal use has already fallen about 30% from a 2015 peak of 4.14 million, but scientists caution that alternatives have limits and complete elimination is not yet realistic.
UK Unveils Plan to Cut Animal Testing; Targets 35% Fewer Dogs and Monkeys by 2030
The UK has announced a plan to reduce animal use in research, aiming to end some test types this year and cut use of dogs and monkeys by 35% by 2030. The strategy prioritises computer modelling and in vitro methods and follows similar moves in the US and EU. Officials note animal use has already fallen about 30% from a 2015 peak of 4.14 million, but scientists caution that alternatives have limits and complete elimination is not yet realistic.
10:57 AM, 11/13/2025Science
UK announces major shift to reduce animal testing
The UK government has set out a plan to significantly reduce the use of animals in scientific research, prioritising non-animal approaches such as computer modelling and in vitro methods. Science Minister Patrick Vallance said the government aims to end certain types of tests this year and to reduce the use of dogs and non-human primates in experiments by 35% by 2030.
What the plan includes
The proposals emphasise greater adoption of advanced alternative methods — including computational models, human cell-based (in vitro) systems and improved study design — to replace, reduce and refine animal use where possible. The government also highlighted existing progress: the total number of animals used in UK research has fallen by roughly 30% from a 2015 peak of 4.14 million.
International context
The move follows parallel developments overseas: regulators in the United States have already relaxed some animal-testing requirements this year, and the European Union has published a roadmap outlining steps toward reducing and eventually ending many forms of animal testing.
Expert views and limitations
"We cannot eliminate animal use in the foreseeable future," Vallance acknowledged, reflecting scientific and regulatory caution about fully replacing animals in all research contexts. Other researchers have warned that while alternatives are advancing rapidly, they may not yet capture the full biological complexity modelled by whole animals.
Policymakers say the new plan balances ambition with realism: accelerating the uptake of validated alternatives where possible, while maintaining safeguards for human health and safety that currently rely on some animal studies. Implementation details, timelines and funding commitments will determine how quickly reductions can be realised in practice.