20BAlternative strategies

1

The Secretary of State must support the development and validation of alternative strategies.

2

In particular, the Secretary of State must—

a

assist the European Commission in identifying and nominating suitable laboratories to carry out validation studies on alternative strategies;

b

nominate a person the Commission may contact for advice on the regulatory relevance and suitability of alternative strategies proposed by the Commission for validation;

c

take such other steps as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to encourage research into alternative strategies;

d

ensure the promotion of, and dissemination of information about, alternative strategies.

3

The Secretary of State may make grants to any person concerned with the development, promotion or validation of alternative strategies.

4

“Alternative strategies” means scientific methods and testing strategies which do not use protected animals, or which (compared to existing scientific methods and testing strategies) use fewer protected animals or reduce the pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm caused to protected animals.