In brief:
- The United Kingdom announced plans for a future without animal testing: a historic development.
- The roadmap states that £75 million will be made available to accelerate research into human-centred methods.
- By 2030, testing on animals such as dogs and primates will be significantly reduced.
- However, the deadlines are not very strict and there is still much room for interpretation.
With the announcement of an official roadmap, the United Kingdom is taking a promising step towards a future without animal testing. For the first time, there is a strong commitment to human-centred innovations, supported by substantial investments. These are hopeful signs, but at the same time we know that without binding agreements, good plans can easily remain stuck in the realm of good intentions. It is now important to follow through. Only then can we fulfil the promise of a future free of animal testing.
United Kingdom accelerates move away from animal testing
In the autumn of 2025, both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom will take an important step towards a future free of animal testing. The British government presented an official roadmap announcing that animal testing must be phased out more quickly. Shortly before that, a significant policy change was also implemented in the Netherlands: subsidies for monkey research at the BPRC will gradually be shifted to animal-free innovations. For us, these are clear signs that we are in the midst of a transition: from outdated animal testing to innovative, human-centred models.
What does the British roadmap say?
The British plans, presented by Minister Lord Patrick Vallance, are historic in several respects. For the first time, an official roadmap is being used to structurally reduce animal testing. With an investment of £75 million and more flexible approval procedures, the focus is on the further development of techniques such as AI, 3D bioprinting and organ-on-a-chip.
These human-centred models are set to play a central role in testing the safety of substances and developing medicines. This is an important step forward for everyone committed to animal-free science. As Anne Burgers, science and innovation advisor at Proefdiervrij, adds: ‘With their roadmap, the United Kingdom is clearly indicating that they want to work towards a future without animal testing, which is of course wonderful! Now it is important that concrete steps are actually taken.’
Although the roadmap sends a powerful signal, some of the targets remain somewhat cautious. For example, the British government is aiming for a 35% reduction in the use of dogs and non-human primates by 2030. These studies investigate how drugs move through the body. However, no promise is made to stop this practice entirely. Furthermore, other commonly used animal species, such as mice, rats, chickens, cows and pigs, are not even mentioned in the plans.
Reservations: ambition without obligation
A major shortcoming of the British roadmap is that the document does not contain a binding timetable or firm targets. There is no legislation enforcing the phasing out of animal testing, which means there is a risk that the fine words will have insufficient effect in practice. Without concrete commitments, there is a chance that the transition will slow down before any truly meaningful changes are achieved.
Or, as Anne Burgers puts it: ‘Unfortunately, many points remain vague without firm deadlines. We hope that this document will form the basis for the rapid phasing out of animal testing and the use of future-proof, human-centred models. In this way, the United Kingdom can set an example for the rest of the world!’
International movement towards animal-free researchn
Fortunately, developments in the United Kingdom are not isolated. In the Netherlands, too, we are seeing an increasingly clear shift towards animal-free research. Our government is shifting tax money from research involving monkeys to research using innovative, human-centred research methods. For us, this confirms our long-term vision: what once seemed ambitious is now becoming reality. More and more countries, institutes and scientists are consciously choosing human-centred research.
We continue to strongly support this movement. Our ambition is clear: by 2030, we aim to have 75% of health research free of animal testing. And we are working towards this every day. It is time to abandon outdated research methods and embrace a future without animal testing.
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