The average number of animals needed to release a veterinary vaccine has reportedly dropped by 41 per cent in 2024, when compared to statistics from 2013.

 

In new statistics, shared by Defra this week, the VMD estimates that 17 animals were involved to release a batch of veterinary medicine in 2024. In 2013, this number was estimated to be 29 animals.

 

Statistics also revealed a 29 per cent reduction in animal use overall. This is despite an increased number of vaccines being released compared to 2013.

 

The VMD believes that ceasing the Target Animal Batch Safety Test in 2013 may have decreased the number of animals by thousands.

 

The proportion of veterinary vaccines released in the UK that require animal testing for quality control has also fallen sharply. There were 74 per cent of these vaccines in 2013, compared to 34 per cent in 2024.

 

This change in testing requirements, as well as advances in science, is said to have led to many animal tests to be replaced with alternative measures.

 

As a result, horses, cats, dogs, turkeys and pigeons are no longer required for routine quality control testing. Newly authorised vaccines appear to be increasingly using animal-free approaches.

 

However, for some vaccines, it has not been possible to replace animal testing in their quality control. With some clostridial and fish vaccines, for example, finding alternatives to animal testing is said to be ‘scientifically and technically challenging’.

 

The findings support a government initiative to reduce and ultimately replace the use of animals in science.

 

Abi Seager, chief executive officer at the VMD, said: "We support the government’s ambition to phase out the use of animals in scientific testing and are proud to contribute towards the delivery of the UK’s strategy to replacing animals in science. This report shows twelve years of sustained, measurable progress in reducing animal testing within the veterinary medicines industry. 

 

“We are committed to driving further reductions, and we will continue working with the animal health sector and our partners to replace animal-based testing wherever the science makes it possible.”