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Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

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Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 14 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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SCHEDULES

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

F1[SCHEDULE 1U.K. APPROPRIATE METHODS OF HUMANE KILLING

Textual Amendments

F1Sch. 1 substituted (E.W.S.) (1.3.1997) and (N.I.) (9.6.1997) by S.I. 1996/3278, art. 2, Sch.; S.R. 1997/226, art. 2, Sch.

F21E+W+SSubject to paragraph 2 below, the methods of humane killing listed in Tables A and B below are appropriate for the animals listed in the corresponding entries in those tables only if the process of killing is completed by one of the methods listed in sub-paragraphs (a) to (f) below:

(a)confirmation of permanent cessation of the circulation

(b)destruction of the brain

(c)dislocation of the neck

(d)exsanguination

(e)confirming the onset of rigor mortis

(f)instantaneous destruction of the body in a macerator.

Extent Information

E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only.

Textual Amendments

F2Sch. 1 para. 1: Sch. 1 substituted (E.W.S.) (1.3.1997) by S.I. 1996/3278, art. 2, Sch.

F191N.I.Subject to paragraph 2 below, the methods of humane killing listed in Tables A and B below are appropriate for the animals listed in the corresponding entries in those tables only if the process of killing is completed by one of the methods listed in sub-paragraphs (a) to (f):

(a)confirmation of permanent cessation of the circulation

(b)destruction of the brain

(c)dislocation of the neck

(d)exsanguination

(e)confirming the onset of rigor mortis

(f)instantaneous destruction of the body in a macerator.

Extent Information

E4This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only.

Textual Amendments

F19Sch. 1 para. 1: Sch. 1 substituted (N.I.) (9.6.1997) by S.R. 1997/226, art. 2, Sch.

F32U.K.Paragraph 1 above does not apply in those cases where Table A specifies one of the methods listed in that paragraph as an appropriate method of humane killing.

Textual Amendments

F3Sch. 1 para. 2: Sch. 1 substituted (E.W.S.) (1.3.1997) and (N.I.) (9.6.1997) by S.I. 1996/3278, art. 2, Sch.; S.R. 1997/226, art. 2, Sch.

Table AE+W+S 

F4[A. Methods for animals other than foetal, larval and embryonic formsAnimals for which appropriate

1.Overdose of an anaesthetic using a route and an anaesthetic agent appropriate for the size and species of animal.

All animals

2.Exposure to carbon dioxide gas in a rising concentration.

Rodents, Rabbits and Birds up to 1.5 kg

3.Dislocation of the neck.

Rodents up to 500g Rabbits up to 1 kg Birds up to 3 kg

4.Concussion of the brain by striking the cranium.

Rodents and Rabbits up to 1 kg Birds up to 250g Amphibians and reptiles (with destruction of the brain before the return of consciousness) up to 1 kg Fishes (with destruction of the brain before the return of consciousness)

5. One of the recognised methods of slaughter set out below which is appropriate to the animal and is performed by a registered veterinary surgeon, or, in the case of the methods described in paragraph (ii) below, performed by the holder of a current licence granted under the F5Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995.

(i)Destruction of the brain by free bullet, or

(ii)captive bolt, percussion or electrical stunning followed by destruction of the brain or exsanguination before return of consciousness.

Ungulates]

Extent Information

E2This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only.

Textual Amendments

F4Sch. 1 Table A: Sch. 1 substituted (E.W.S.) (1.3.1997) by S.I. 1996/3278, art. 2, Sch.

Table AN.I. 

F20[A. Methods for animals other than foetal, larval and embryonic formsAnimals for which appropriate

1.Overdose of an anaesthetic using a route and an anaesthetic agent appropriate for the size and species of animal.

All animals

2.Exposure to carbon dioxide gas in a rising concentration.

Rodents, Rabbits and Birds up to 1.5 kg

3.Dislocation of the neck.

Rodents up to 500g Rabbits up to 1 kg Birds up to 3 kg

4.Concussion of the brain by striking the cranium.

Rodents and Rabbits up to 1 kg Birds up to 250g Amphibians and reptiles (with destruction of the brain before the return of consciousness) up to 1 kg Fishes (with destruction of the brain before the return of consciousness)

5. One of the recognised methods of slaughter set out below which is appropriate to the animal and is performed by a registered veterinary surgeon, or, in the case of the methods described in paragraph (ii) below, performed by the holder of a current licence granted under the F21Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996.

(i)Destruction of the brain by free bullet, or

(ii)captive bolt, percussion or electrical stunning followed by destruction of the brain or exsanguination before return of consciousness.

Ungulates]

Extent Information

E5This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only.

Textual Amendments

F20Sch. 1 Table A: Sch. 1 substituted (N.I.) (9.6.1997) by S.R. 1997/226, art. 2, Sch.

Table BU.K. 

F6B. Methods for foetal, larval and embryonic formsAnimals for which appropriate

1.Overdose of an anaesthetic using a route and anaesthetic agent appropriate for the size, stage of development and species of animal.

All animals

2.Refrigeration, or disruption of membranes, or maceration in apparatus approved under appropriate slaughter legislation, or exposure to carbon dioxide in near 100% concentration until they are dead.

Birds Reptiles

3.Cooling of foetuses followed by immersion in cold tissue fixative.

Mice, Rats and Rabbits

4.Decapitation.

Mammals and Birds up to 50g.]

Textual Amendments

F6Sch. 1 Table B: Sch. 1 substituted (E.W.S.) (1.3.1997) and (N.I.) (9.6.1997) by S.I. 1996/3278, art. 2, Sch.; S.R. 1997/226, art. 2, Sch.

Sections 7 and 10.

SCHEDULE 2U.K. ANIMALS TO BE OBTAINED ONLY FROM DESIGNATED BREEDING OR SUPPLYING ESTABLISHMENTS

Mouse

Rat

Guinea-pig

Hamster

Rabbit

Dog

Cat

Primate

[F7Any bird of the species Coturnix coturnix (quail).]

Textual Amendments

F7Words in Sch. 2 added (1.10.1993) by S.I. 1993/2103, art. 4; (and for N.I. (15.11.1993) by S.R. 1993/407, art. 2(2)

[F8 Pig, if genetically modified

Textual Amendments

F8Words in Sch. 2 inserted (N.I.) (1.1.1999) by S.R. 1998/331, reg. 2

Sheep, if genetically modified

Ferret

Gerbil]

Section 10(2A).

[F9SCHEDULE 2AU.K. ARTICLE 8 OF COUNCIL DIRECTIVE No. 86/609/EEC

Textual Amendments

F9Sch. 2A inserted (5.9.1998) by S.I. 1998/1974, reg. 2, Sch. para. 6

F101U.K.All experiments shall be carried out under general or local anaesthesia.

Textual Amendments

F112U.K.Paragraph 1 above does not apply when:

(a)anaesthesia is judged to be more traumatic to the animal than the experiment itself;

(b)anaesthesia is incompatible with the object of the experiment. In such cases appropriate legislative and/or administrative measures shall be taken to ensure that no such experiment is carried out unnecessarily.

Textual Amendments

F123U.K.If anaesthesia is not possible, analgesics or other appropriate methods should be used in order to ensure as far as possible that pain, suffering, distress or harm are limited and that in any event the animal is not subject to severe pain, distress or suffering.

Textual Amendments

F134U.K.Provided such action is compatible with the object of the experiment, an anaesthetised animal, which suffers considerable pain once anaesthesia has worn off, shall be treated in good time with pain-relieving means or, if this is not possible, shall be immediately killed by a humane method.]

Textual Amendments

Section 27(2).

SCHEDULE 3U.K. CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

F141U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F14Sch. 3 para. 1 repealed (E.W.) (27.3.2007 for W., 6.4.2007 for E.) by Animal Welfare Act 2006 (c. 45), s. 68(3), Sch. 4 (with ss. 1(2), 58(1), 59, 60); S.I. 2007/499, art 2(2)(m); S.I. 2007/1030, art. 2(1)(m)

F152U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3U.K.In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the M1Protection 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”.

Marginal Citations

4U.K.In section 12 of the M2Pests 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 (Scoentific Procedures) Act 1986”.

Marginal Citations

5U.K.In section 19(4)(a) of the M3Veterinary 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”.

Marginal Citations

6U.K.In section 1(2A)(b) of the M4Slaughter 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”.

Marginal Citations

F16F177U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17Sch. 3 para. 7 repealed (E.W.) (27.3.2007 for W., 6.4.2007 for E.) by Animal Welfare Act 2006 (c. 45), s. 68(3), Sch. 4 (with ss. 1(2), 58(1), 59, 60); S.I. 2007/499, art. 2(2)(m); S.I. 2007/1030, art. 2(1)(m)

8U.K.In sections 1(2) and 15(a) of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to, the M5Welfare 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”.

Marginal Citations

F189U.K.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

10U.K.In section 5(4) of the M6Dangerous 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”.

Marginal Citations

Section 27(4).

SCHEDULE 4U.K. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Extent Information

E3In its application to Northern Ireland, this Schedule has effect subject to the modifications set out in s. 29, see s. 29(1)

Existing licencesU.K.

1U.K.Any licence which immediately before the coming into force of section 3 of this Act is in force under the 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 experimentsU.K.

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.U.K.

(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 certificatesU.K.

3U.K.A 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 premisesU.K.

4U.K.Until 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.

InspectorsU.K.

5U.K.Any 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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