Animal care and welfare

As a UK institution using animals in scientific procedures, we are required to submit annual returns to the Home Office, reporting the number of animals used and the severity of procedures.

National statistics on scientific procedures on animals are published on the government website.

The University’s use of animals in scientific research is regulated by the Animals (scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). Any scientific work which may cause animals pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm equivalent or more severe than a needle prick, is only carried out if three licences are in place: 

• Establishment licences which designates the premises on which the procedures may be carried out.  
• A project licence, which describes the purpose (benefits) of the research, procedures to be applied, adverse effects and severity limits of the procedures.  
• A personal licence, which is granted to individual researchers once they have completed Home Office training.  

We adhere strictly to published guidance on ASPA.

The University is a signatory of the Concordat of Openness - a set of commitments for UK life science organisations to ensure transparency about the use of animals in research. As a signatory of the concordat, we are committed to enhance communications about our use of animals in research. Our data is collated and published annually alongside other Concordat signatories by Understanding Animal Research, an organisation dedicated to improving public awareness and transparency around the use of animals in scientific research. 

We use alternative research methods to animals wherever possible, if we know they will produce equally accurate results. NC3Rs is a UK-based organisation which supports the research community to do this, through identifying, developing and using ‘replacement, reduction, refinement’ technologies and approaches (known as the 3Rs).

AWERB is a group established within institutions to promote animal welfare and ensure ethical practices. The University of Leeds AWERB sits five times a year.

As well as lay members, it includes:

• The Establishment Licence (PEL) Holder, who is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of ASPA and conditions of the licence are complied with.
• The Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS), who is responsible for advising on the health, welfare and treatment of the animals (and who must be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons with expertise in laboratory animal medicine for the species being used in the establishment).
• Several Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers (NACWOs), each of whom is responsible for overseeing day-to-day welfare and care of animals.
• The Named Training and Competence Officer (NTCO), who is responsible for ensuring that those dealing with animals are adequately educated, trained and supervised until they are competent and that appropriate further training continues.
• The Named Information Officer (NIO), who is responsible for ensuring that those dealing with animals have access to any information they need about the species they are using.

Read AWERB’s minutes and reports.

Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Bred, Supplied or Used for Scientific Purposes (PDF) provides detailed guidance on meeting the needs of laboratory animals. It outlines legal minimum standards and offers advice to promote continuous improvement in animal welfare.