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<p> </p><p>European Directive 2010/63/EU which was implemented in the UK and other
Member States on 1 January 2013 provides Member States with discretion to allow re-homing
schemes. It also requires that where Member States have allowed re-homing, they will
also ensure that a re-homing scheme is in place that ensures the socialisation of
the animal. <br><br>The Directive permits Member States to go beyond the requirements
of the Directive, on the basis of animal welfare, only where the provisions were already
in place in November 2010. The Directive does not provide legal grounds on which the
UK can impose such a mandatory obligation of re-homing as part of licensing. <br><br>The
UK legislation allows re-homing. The requirements are provided for in licence conditions
and by virtue of section 17A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. <br><br>On
our acceptance of certain reassurances, relating to section 17A of the 1986 Act, authority
may be given to re-home animals being held at an establishment. This applies to those
animals that were bred or held for supply for use in regulated procedures, were intended
for use in regulated procedures, or have been used in regulated procedures and are
being kept alive under the care of the Named Veterinary Surgeon. This authority would
relate to individually identified animals and records would be held at the establishment
to confirm that such animals had been re-homed.<br><br>Consideration is normally given
to the release of animals from the controls of the Act if there is no scientific requirement
for them to be humanely killed at the end of the procedures. Some animals are not
released if veterinary advice indicates that they may not remain in good health, or
that their temperament would not be suited to such an environment.<br><br>Comprehensive
guidance on setting free and re-homing is given in section 5.21 in the Guidance on
the Operation of the 1986 Act. The Home Office intends to provide further advice about
the re-homing of laboratory animals from licensed establishments where there are provisions
in the legislation. Animals which have been born into, and lived all their lives under,
laboratory conditions may not be able to adapt to a different lifestyle and may be
very distressed by such change. There must be provision for careful individual assessment
as well as a structured socialisation programme to ensure that re-homing is in the
best interests of the individual animal.</p><p> </p>
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