How does the MRC shape and inform public policy?
The MRC plays a key part in shaping public policy and legislation. The MRC calls upon its expertise of animal researchers, animal facilities managers and technicians, named animal care and welfare officers (NACWOs) and policy officers to respond to various government and European Commission consultations on the wider issues relating to the use of animals in research. The MRC provides input to various other research organisations’ studies and reports. In conjunction with other funding organisations, the MRC has also commissioned reports into the use of non-human primates in research. Listed below are the key responses and reports the MRC has undertaken since 2007. Older responses can be located in submissions to Parliament and other organisations prior to 2010-2011.
EU directive 2010/63/EU
The MRC has held a fundamental position in the development of the new European directive (2010/63/EU) on the ‘protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific procedures’ and its integration into UK law.
• The MRC supports and signed up to the UK Bioscience Sector Coalition response to the Home Office Consultation on the Transposition of European Directive 2010/63/EU (September 2011).
• The MRC and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) also submitted a joint response to this consultation; the areas we have commented on in our joint response are those where the MRC/BBSRC community have additional expertise and experience, which may be of help to the Home Office (September 2011).
• The MRC signed up to the UK Bioscience Sector Coalition response to the Home Office Consultation on EU proposals for a new directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (July 2009).
• The MRC signed up to the UK Bioscience Sector Coalition response to the House of Lords European Union Committee inquiry into the Revision of the Directive on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes (86/609/EEC)(May 2009).
• The MRC submitted a response to the consultation on the outline for the revision of Directive 86/609 on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (January 2007)
The use of non-human primates in research: a working group report chaired by Sir David Weatherall
In conjunction with the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Society, and the Wellcome Trust, the MRC funded an independent study to examine the scientific case for the use of non-human primates for research into the prevention or treatment of disease, or for fundamental research that has the long-term potential of achieving the same end. The group, chaired by Sir David Weatherall, concluded that there was a scientific case for careful, meticulously regulated non-human primate research, provided that it was the only way of solving important questions and high standards of welfare are maintained. (December 2006).
Review of research using non-human primates: report of a panel chaired by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson
One of the recommendations of Sir Weatherall’s report was for the major funding organisations to undertake a systematic review of the outcome of all their research using non-human primates supported over the last decade. The MRC, BBSRC and Wellcome Trust commissioned and funded the independent review of research using non-human primates led by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson. The panel agreed that in many cases the use of NHPs was justifiable even in the context of current understanding of animal welfare and advances in knowledge that might now render some work on living animals unnecessary. However, the panel did raise concern with the small number (approximately 9%) of research programmes from which no clear scientific, medical or social benefit had emerged. The MRC, in collaboration with the BBSRC and Wellcome Trust have begun to make progress against the recommendations made in the report.
Other responses to consultations
European Commission
The MRC and Wellcome Trust submitted a joint response to the European Commission call for the submission of information or data on the need for non-human primates in biomedical research, production and testing of products and devices (June 2008).
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
In conjunction with the Wellcome Trust and the BBSRC, the MRC submitted a response to the DEFRA, Welsh Assembly Government and Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland) joint consultation on veterinary check on rabies susceptible animals (July 2009).
The MRC and BBSRC submitted a joint response to the consultation on the review of schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and a ban on the sale of certain non-native species (including Xenopus laevis) (February 2008).
CMP/RDS Review Committee
The MRC submitted a response to the CMP (Coalition for Medical Progress)/RDS (Research Defence Society) Review Committee consultation on activities relating to animal research (May 2008).
Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS)
The MRC responded to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ working group study on research use of animals containing human material (February 2010).