UK Government Announces Phase-Out of Animal Testing by 2030

Tue Nov 11 2025 15:49:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant policy shift, the UK government outlines a plan to phase out animal experiments, setting ambitious targets for reducing the use of animals in medical research and safety testing by 2030.

The UK government's new strategy aims to phase out animal testing for certain safety tests by the end of the year and reduce the use of dogs and primates in medical research by 35% by 2030. While alternative methods such as tissue cultures and AI are proposed, opinions on the feasibility and safety of complete elimination of animal testing vary among scientists.

The 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 told BBC News that he could imagine a day where the use of animals in science was almost completely phased out but acknowledged that it would take time.

Animal experiments in the UK peaked at 4.14 million in 2015 driven mainly by a big increase in genetic modification experiments—mostly on mice and fish. By 2020, the number had fallen sharply to 2.88 million as alternative methods were developed. But since then that decline has plateaued.

According to the government's newly detailed plans, by the end of 2025, scientists will stop using animals for some major safety tests and switch to newer lab methods that use human cells instead.

One of the world's leading centres for developing alternatives to animal testing is the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models (CPM) at Queen Mary University of London. Researchers here are developing the organ-on-a-chip technology, allowing cells from different organs to be connected and simulate bodily functions.

While many scientists are enthusiastic about the potential of non-animal methods, opinions remain divided regarding the feasibility of phasing out animal testing entirely. The RSPCA has cautiously welcomed the proposal, urging the government to ensure its successful implementation.