Animal testing continues to be a highly debated and controversial topic, and new figures released today by the government have caused concern among animal welfare advocates. According to the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain, a total of 2.54 million scientific procedures were carried out on living animals in 2025, with more than 17,500 of these classified as severe, causing significant pain, suffering, or distress to the animals involved.
While there was a slight decrease of 3.8% in the total number of procedures compared to 2024, animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation says that this pace of change is still too slow. They are calling for urgent action to reduce reliance on animal testing, despite the government’s commitment to phase it out.
Of particular concern in the latest statistics is the increase in the use of beagles, non-human primates, and horses in experiments. The number of beagles used for the first time increased from 1,593 to 1,640, while the number of non-human primates rose sharply from 1,478 to 1,845. The use of horses also saw an increase, from 60 to 100.
Laura Lendrum, Animal Experiments Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation, expressed her worries about these numbers, stating that while they welcome the overall decrease in animal testing, the increase in certain species is concerning. She emphasized the government’s pledge to phase out animal testing and urged for a shift towards human-focused and more reliable methods of research.
Last year, the government announced plans to work with scientists, industry, and animal welfare organizations to accelerate the replacement of animal testing. However, Naturewatch Foundation believes that today’s figures demonstrate the need for this strategy to deliver swift and measurable change.
The charity continues to campaign for greater investment in innovative, non-animal research methods, and believes that replacing animal experiments will not only improve scientific outcomes but also animal welfare. They are also encouraging consumers to support companies that do not benefit from animal testing, and their Compassionate Shopping Guide helps identify brands that are committed to cruelty-free practices and the transition towards animal-free science.
For media queries, Alice Williamson, Campaigns and Marketing Assistant at Naturewatch Foundation, can be reached at alice@naturewatch.org or +44 (0) 1242 252 871. Campaign queries can be directed to Natalie Harney, Campaign Manager, at natalie@naturewatch.org or +44 (0) 1242 252 871.
Naturewatch Foundation is a UK-based animal welfare charity that has been dedicated to ending cruelty and improving the lives of animals for over 30 years. They work through campaigning, education, and advocacy to tackle illegal and unethical practices, including puppy farming, animal experiments, and wildlife crime. By collaborating with policymakers, enforcement agencies, and the public, they strive to make the world a kinder place for animals. To learn more, visit naturewatch.org.
These government figures were published on Thursday, 9 July 2026, in the Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain 2025. In 2025, the total number of scientific procedures carried out on living animals in Great Britain was 2.54 million, a decrease of 3.81% from 2024. Of these procedures, 17,593 were classified as severe. Naturewatch Foundation is a leading advocate for ending animal experiments and promoting humane, human-relevant alternatives.
