News Blog Faster phase out of animal testing (13-11-25) The UK Government was elected last year on a manifesto commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing.” On the 11th of November, it vowed to make that phase out faster, as it published a strategy to support the uptake of alternatives. This is a big step towards a goal we have been working towards for more than 100 years. However, it does not promise to go far or fast enough, and it will be crucial that this is a starting point to drive further progress. The strategy, the good news The UK Government’s long-term vision is for a world where the use of animals in science is eliminated in all but exceptional circumstances. The government recognises that we are at a “tipping point” towards the replacement of animals in science and says it recognises the urgency of the transition. It has dedicated £75 million to advancing alternative methods. Certain tests will be ended almost immediately, or within the next couple of years. The strategy, the bad news There are no legally binding targets or timelines, which means the government could back-track or fail to deliver. For now, the government will continue to support animal research where it says alternatives do not exist. The tests it has initially committed to end are only a fraction of the total. OneKind’s work We were formed in 1911 by the Ivory sisters, who sought to end vivisection. Initially we were named the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Vivisection and worked only on that issue. Ending the use of animals in science was one of our founding principles and remains an important goal. Working on this issue has become harder since devolution, because we mostly focus our work on Scotland but the powers to end animal testing are reserved to the UK Government. Most recently, in 2021-2022, our Target Zero petition, jointly with Cruelty Free International and Animal Free Research UK, got over 100,000 signatures and triggered two debates (here and here) in Westminster. This was part of the many years of work by many, many people, to get to the current moment. What should happen in Scotland? Some Scottish Universities are already doing great work developing and using alternatives to animal testing. Other institutions should follow suit, and the Scottish Government should do all in its power to support and accelerate the transition. Our work relies on your support, please donate today Manage Cookie Preferences