Government figures reveal that animal testing has risen by 21% since the Government came to power.

The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection has strongly condemned the increased number of animals used in experiments in the UK. Figures released today reveal that more than 3.1 million animals were used in tests in 2007, an increase of six per cent on the previous year. The number of actual experiments also increased by six per cent, to 3.2 million.

The numbers were announced today by the Home Office in the annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2007.

Despite the fact that the UK claims to have the tightest regulation on animal testing in the world, the number of animal experiments has risen by a massive 21 per cent since the Government came to power, from 2.6 million in 1997.

This sixth consecutive increase shows that there is no Government strategy to reduce the numbers of animals being used in experiments in this country, despite overwhelming public concern about the issue.

Animal suffering is still legal for tests on things like household products and food additives. Despite the UK being hailed as a nation of animal lovers, an extra 600 experiments were carried out on dogs compared to last year, a rise of nine percent. Despite clear public concern and growing pressure for an outright ban, the UK conducted approximately four thousand tests on non-human primates, our closest genetic relatives. 61 per cent of all experiments were performed with no anesthetic.

In the simultaneous release of the Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate report project licenses increased by 15 per cent on the previous year, meaning we can expect an increase in animal experiments in coming years.

The Chief Executive of the BUAV, Michelle Thew, says "It is a national disgrace that the numbers of animals subjected to experiments has massively risen under this Government. Despite clear public concern on this issue, the Government has made no attempt to take the necessary action and develop a clear policy on getting the numbers down. The UK should be leading the way in reducing animal testing, but these latest statistics show there is a long way to go. The BUAV will continue to pressure the Government to end such unnecessary animal suffering and lead the way in developing modern, humane research."