BREEDING DOGS FOR RESEARCH

Early day motion 772, tabled 29 June 1999 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 112 members.

That this House is shocked by the findings of the recent investigation carried out by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection at Harlan UK, which breeds dogs for the research industry; notes that these findings included poor levels of care and husbandry, lack of exercise and of social human contact even for individually-housed dogs, lack of bedding or nesting materials even for females giving birth, dogs left unattended for up to 20 hours, dogs kept in overcrowded conditions leading to aggressive behaviour and even death, and overbreeding leading to killing of dogs because they are considered to be 'surplus to requirements'; further notes that many of the findings constitute breaches of the Home Office Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals in Designated Breeding and Supplying Establishments and that at least two of the standard conditions for breeding establishments listed in the Home Office Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were also breached; is concerned that this investigation is the latest of many to reveal serious problems with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and therefore calls for Harlan UK's certificate of designation to be withdrawn and for a Home Office inquiry into the overbreeding and killing of research animals.

Signatures by party: Labour 71, Liberal Democrat 27, Conservative 5, Labour/Co-operative 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UKUP 1, UUP 1, Unknown 1.