Exeter MP helps drive major government move to end animal testing

Exeter MP Steve Race has welcomed the government’s new plan to phase out animal testing in medical research, a move he helped champion through Parliament after launching his campaign from right here in Exeter.

The Labour Government has announced a landmark strategy to replace animal experiments with safe and effective human-based alternatives, backed by £75 million in new funding. 

The plan aims to speed up the use of advanced research methods such as organ-on-a-chip technology, artificial intelligence, and 3D bioprinted human tissues, to end animal testing in all but exceptional circumstances within the next decade.

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Mr Race’s campaign began after a visit to the Animal Replacement Centre of Excellence (ARC 2.0) at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he met Professor Lorna Harries and Dr Laura Sinclair. 

The scientists demonstrated pioneering methods that use human cells and tissues to study diseases and test medicines without involving animals. 

That visit inspired him to table a Private Members Bill last year calling for a ten-year phase-out of animal testing in favour of human-relevant techniques. The proposal helped shape the government’s new national strategy.

“I am delighted that the government has listened to researchers and concerned constituents in Exeter and is taking strong action to phase out animal testing,” said Steve Race, MP for Exeter. 

“As a nation, and a city, of animal lovers, we have a responsibility to find new ways forward. This isn’t just about animal welfare — it’s also about better, more effective science that puts the UK at the forefront of next-generation medical research.”

The government’s plan will fund new national hubs for data and technology collaboration and make regulatory approval for non-animal research clearer and faster. 

Exeter’s growing research community is expected to play a key role, with institutions like the University of Exeter and the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust already pioneering alternatives to animal testing through projects such as ARC 2.0.

In 2024, more than 2.6 million procedures involving animals took place in the UK. Yet studies show that 92 per cent of drugs that appear safe in animal tests fail in human trials, often because animal biology differs significantly from ours. 

New technologies developed in Exeter and across the UK (including organ-on-a-chip systems and AI-driven safety models) promise to close that gap and improve results for patients.

“As I saw for myself during my visit to ARC 2.0 in Exeter, we can get far better results for patients without subjecting animals to unnecessary pain and suffering,” Mr Race added. 

“Labour’s new strategy will protect animals, drive innovation and help grow our economy — with Exeter researchers leading the way.”

Science Minister Lord Vallance said the plan would ensure government, researchers and animal welfare groups work together to end animal testing “as soon as it is safe and effective to do so.”

The new roadmap delivers on Labour’s election pledge and sets clear targets for eliminating specific tests over the next five years, positioning the UK and Exeter as global leaders in ethical, cutting-edge research.