ABSTRACT
The Act has received praise from several sources around the world59 and has variously been described as ‘draconian’ and ‘the best legislation of its kind in the world.’60 Most scientists and pro-experimenters are at pains to stress that the Act provides the best possible framework to ensure that animals are well looked after and used in the smallest possible numbers. The coverage of the Act is certainly very wide in comparison to other major animal experimentation countries such as the US. The Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals used in Scientific Procedures adds specific nonmandatory welfare recommendations. A 1995 audit conducted by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate found that 312 of the 487 sites covered by the audit complied with the requirements, but 20% (95 facilities) did not because it was considered that ‘the conditions had the potential to compromise either the welfare of the animals or the quality of the scientific work.’61
