Animal use in veterinary vaccines quality control falls to lowest levels in a decade

Far fewer animals are being used to release batches of veterinary vaccines than a decade ago, new figures published today (Thursday 24 September) by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) show.

The average number of animals needed to check the quality, safety and effectiveness of a single batch of animal vaccine fell by 41% - from 29 animals in 2013 to 17 in 2024.

Overall animal use fell by 29% over the same period, despite an increase in the number of vaccines being released.

The fall has been driven by advances in science and changes to testing requirements, which mean animal tests can increasingly be replaced with alternative measures, while continuing to make sure farmers, vets and pet owners have access to safe and effective vaccines that protect animals from disease.

The new report shows that removing the routine Target Animal Batch Safety Test in 2013 was a major turning point, cutting the number of animals used by thousands each year.

The report found that horses, cats, dogs, turkeys and pigeons are no longer needed for routine quality control testing, while newly authorised vaccines are increasingly using animal-free approaches.

The proportion of veterinary vaccines released onto the UK market that require any animal testing as part of quality control has also fallen sharply, from 74% in 2013 to 34% in 2024.

The progress supports the government’s commitment to reduce and ultimately replace the use of animals in science wherever possible, while maintaining access to vaccines that protect animal health, help prevent diseases that can spread to people and support farmers and rural communities.

Defra Minister Baroness Hayman, Minister for Biosecurity and Trade, said:

This is real progress for animal welfare, we are using far fewer animals to make sure veterinary vaccines are safe and effective, which is welcome news for animal lovers across the country, including myself.