Peter Egan Government petition demands public inquiry into animal experiments
Campaigners are urging the public to back a petition demanding an independent inquiry into how animal experiments are regulated in Britain.
Created by animal welfare campaigner Peter Egan, the parliamentary petition has attracted more than 18,000 signatures, passing the threshold requiring a government response.
The petition reads: "We believe the system regulating animal research is failing. Reports find serious weaknesses in licensing oversight, including procedures approved without regulators verifying substances or protocols, undermining the duty to weigh harm against benefit.
"Oversight heavily relies on self-reporting, which we feel lacks transparency. There have also been no fines or prosecutions from cases of non-compliance under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the last ten years."
It calls for scrutiny of regulation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, arguing that weaknesses in oversight are undermining safeguards for laboratory animals including beagle dogs.
The appeal has been promoted on Instagram in a post featuring Linda Birr Pixton, of the Alliance for Cruelty Free Science.
Shared by accounts bonkersaboutbeagles888 and release_the_beagles_uk, the post urges supporters to sign and circulate the petition among friends, families and their wider communities.
The petition raises concerns about licensing decisions and regulators’ reliance on information supplied by those conducting research.
Its organisers argue that an inquiry should examine accountability and transparency, while helping advance research methods relevant to humans that do not use animals.
The petition also states that cases of non-compliance under the Act have resulted in no fines or prosecutions over the past decade.
Published on September 9, it remains open until March 9, 2027. If it reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a parliamentary debate.
To read and sign the petition, visit:
