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Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

SCHEDULES

Sections 2, 6. 7, 10, 15(1) and 18(3).

SCHEDULE 1Standard Methods of Humane Killing

methodAnimals for which appropriate
A. Animals other than foetal, larval and embryonic forms
1. Overdose of anaesthetic suitable for the species—
(i) by injection(i) All animals.
(ii) by inhalation(ii) All animals up to 1 kg bodyweight except reptiles, diving birds and diving mammals.
(iii) by immersion.(iii) Fishes Amphibia up to 250 g bodyweight.
(Followed by destruction of the brain in cold-blooded vertebrates and by exsanguination or by dislocation of theneck in warm blooded vertebrates except where rigor mortis has been confirmed).

2. Dislocation of the neck.

(Followed by destruction of the brain in fishes).

Rodents up to 500g bodyweight other than guinea-pigs.
Guinea-pigs and lagomorphs up to 1 kg bodyweight.
Birds up to 3 kg bodyweight.
Fishes up to 250g bodyweight.

3. Concussion by striking the back of the head.

(Followed by exsanguination or dislocation of the neck in rodents and birds and destruction of the brain in fishes).

Rodents up to 1 kg bodyweight.
Birds up to 250 g bodyweight.
Fishes.
4. Decapitation followed by destruction of the brain.Cold-blooded vertebrates.
5. Exposure to carbon dioxide in a rising concentration using a suitable technique followed byexsanguination or by dislocation of the neck except where rigor mortis has been confirmed.Rodents over 10 days of age up to 1 1/2 kg bodyweight.
Birds over 1 week of age up to 3 kg bodyweight.
B. Foetal, larval and embryonic forms
1. Overdose of anaesthetic suitable for the species—
(i) by injection(i) All animals.
(ii) by immersion.(ii) Fishes Amphibia.
2. Decapitation.Mammals.

Sections 7 and 10.

SCHEDULE 2Animals to be Obtained only from Designated Breeding or Supplying Establishments

  • Mouse

  • Rat

  • Guinea-pig

  • Hamster

  • Rabbit

  • Dog

  • Cat

  • Primate

Section 27(2).

SCHEDULE 3Consequential Amendments

1In section 1(3) of the [1911 c. 27.] Protection of Animals Act 1911 for the words " the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 " there shall be substituted the words " the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

2In section 1(3) of the [1912 c. 14.] Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 for the words " the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 " there shall be substituted the words " the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

3In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the [1954 c. 46.] Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954 for the words " Any experiment duly authorised under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876" there shall be substituted the words " Any procedure duly authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

4In section 12 of the [1954 c. 68.] Pests Act 1954 for the words " any experiment duly authorised under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 " there shall be substituted the words " any procedure duly authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

5In section 19(4)(a) of the [1966 c. 36.] Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 for the words " any experiment duly authorised under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 " there shall be substituted the words " any procedure duly authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 ".

6In section 1(2A)(b) of the [1967 c. 24.] Slaughter of Poultry Act 1967 for the words " an experiment in respect of which restrictions are imposed by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, being an experiment performed subject to any restrictions so imposed" there shall be substituted the words " a procedure duly authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

7In section 1(2) of the [1968 c. 34.] Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 for the words " the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 " there shall be substituted the words " the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

8In sections 1(2) and 15(a) of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to, the [1972 c. 7 (N.I.).] Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 for the words " the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 " there shall be substituted the words " the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

9In section 8(3) of the [1973 c. 57.] Badgers Act 1973 for the words from " something done" onwards there shall be substituted the words " doing anything which is authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

10In section 5(4) of the [1976 c. 38.] Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 for the words " registered pursuant to the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 for the purpose of performing experiments " there shall be substituted the words " which is a designated establishment within the meaning of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 " .

Section 27(4).

SCHEDULE 4Transitional Provisions

Existing licences

1Any licence which immediately before the coming into force of section 3 of this Act is in force under the [1876 c. 77.] Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 (in this Schedule referred to as "the previous Act" shall until such date as it would have expired under that Act be treated for the purposes of this Act as if it were a personal licence.

Current experiments

2(1)Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, any experiment or series of experiments which is lawfully in progress under the previous Act immediately before the coming into force of section 3 of this Act shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as authorised by a project licence.

(2)The Secretary of State may direct that sub-paragraph (1) above shall cease to have effect on such date as he may specify ; and different dates may be specified in relation to different cases.

Existing certificates

3A person shall not by virtue of paragraphs 1 or 2 above be entitled to do anything which would have been unlawful under the previous Act without such a certificate as is mentioned in paragraph (2) or (3) of the proviso to section 3 of that Act or in section 5 of that Act unless immediately before the coming into force of section 3 of this Act he holds the appropriate certificate under that Act.

Registered premises

4Until such date as the. Secretary of State may direct there shall be treated as a designated scientific procedure establishment for the purposes of this Act any place registered under the previous-Act or approved by the Secretary of State.

Inspectors

5Any person who at the coming into force of section 18 of this Act holds office as an inspector under the previous Act shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as an inspector appointed under that section.

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