To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to reply to Andre Menache’s letters to her Department of 3 August and 23 August on the proposed experiments on the macaque monkey Felix at Oxford University. (156408)

A reply was sent to Mr. Menache by email on 19 September 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons (a) the number of scientific procedures on living animals in 2006 recorded as being for the purpose of food additives rose by 368.4 per cent. on the previous year and (b) the number of procedures recorded as being for the purpose of other foodstuffs rose by 30.2 per cent. on the previous year; and if she will make a statement. (156409)

In 2005 the food additives tested were flavourings, colorants and plant extracts. In 2006 they included dietary supplements, stabilisers, sweeteners, colorants and flavouring agents. All of the work in both years was conducted to fulfil regulatory requirements. Changes from year to year depend on the requirements of industry and the regulators concerned with the safety of the products. All the “other foodstuff” testing in 2005 and 2006 was conducted to fulfil regulatory safety requirements mainly for marine biotoxins testing. Part of the increase in procedures in 2006 involved validation of a non-animal alternative for pre-screening for marine biotoxins testing as a result of which it is likely that live animal use for these purposes will begin to fall in 2007.