Herbie’s Law
A bold step towards a future where animals are no longer used in the name of science.
Herbie’s Law will prompt a ‘decade of change’, and would mandate the replacement of animals in medical research in the UK by 2035, replacing them with humane, effective alternatives.
Latest News
Joanna Lumley, Rankin, Pete Wicks, Chris Packham, and Carol Royle Back Herbie’s Law as Parliamentary Support Reaches over 200 MPs and Peers
Joanna Lumley, Rankin, Pete Wicks, Chris Packham, and Carol Royle Back Herbie's Law as Parliamentary…
How you can help
Email your MP today
The Government has published its strategy on animal testing, but it falls short of the bold action needed to truly transform medical research. Crucially, it fails to commit to Herbie’s Law, the vital measure that would end animal experiments and accelerate the shift to modern, human-specific science.
Your action today could make all the difference.
With just a few clicks, you can email your MP and urge them to respond to the Government’s strategy by showing their support for Herbie’s Law, joining over 155 MPs who already back this change.
Email your MP today
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About Herbie’s Law
In our nation of animal lovers, there’s a harsh reality hidden behind closed doors: millions of animals bred and born in laboratories, their lives destined for the confines of medical research. But amidst the darkness, there are stories of hope – stories like Herbie’s.
Herbie, with the telltale tattoo on his ear, was bred for the laboratory. But those grey hairs on his chin? They tell a different story – one of escape, of freedom, of finding love in a warm home. Herbie is one of the lucky ones.
Yet, for every Herbie, there are countless others who aren’t as fortunate. Over 2.6 million animals are used in British laboratories every year. And the heartbreaking truth? Over 92% of drugs that show promise in animal tests fail in clinical trials. It’s a failure rate that cannot be ignored.
That’s why we’re calling for Herbie’s Law – a bold step towards a future where animals are no longer used in the name of science. The law will prompt a ‘decade of change’, and would mandate the replacement of animals in medical research in the UK by 2035, replacing them with humane, effective alternatives. It’s a commitment to progress, to compassion, to a brighter future for all.
Herbie says: “Hey, UK, are we there yet?”. Let’s make sure the answer is yes.
Meet Herbie
Why 2035?
It’s going to be a journey filled with challenges and milestones, but every step we take brings us closer to where animals are no longer used in medical research.
Read more
The Netherlands government has established the Transition Programme for Innovation without the use of animals, a collaborative programme that encourages the development and application of research methods that do not involve animal testing
Global Developments
The UK, with its leading universities and life sciences sector, is well placed to become a world-leader in human-specific technologies. Yet, other countries have already taken action, leaving the UK at risk of falling behind:
India has passed an amendment to the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules (2023) bill which authorises researchers to use human-specific methods such as organ-chips to test the safety and efficacy of new drugs.
The European Commission has committed to developing a roadmap for ultimately phasing out animal tests
Canada has passed a bill to phase out animal-based chemical toxicity testing which requires the government to publish a plan to promote the development of alternative research methods, as well as work to replace animals in chemical toxicity testing.
The USA has passed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which facilitates the use of non-animal methods within the drug testing process.
The New South Wales Government in Australia has provided funding to establish the ‘Non-Animal Technologies Network’ (NAT-Net). This community will focus on reducing and replacing animal testing in medical research through developing and promoting alternatives.
