Naturewatch Foundation Calls for Faster Move Away from Animal Testing

New Government figures have reignited debate over the future of animal testing in Great Britain, with campaigners urging ministers to accelerate the transition towards modern research methods that no longer rely on animals.

According to the latest Annual Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain, around 2.54 million scientific procedures involving living animals were carried out during 2025. 

While this represents a 3.8% decrease compared with 2024, animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation believes progress is happening far too slowly.

The figures also reveal that over 17,500 procedures were classified as severe, meaning the animals involved experienced significant pain, suffering or distress. Of particular concern to the charity is the rise in the number of certain species being used for the first time.

The number of beagles 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 increased, climbing from 60 to 100.

Naturewatch Foundation argues that these increases sit uneasily alongside the Government's commitment to phase out animal testing by investing in modern, human-relevant alternatives.

Laura Lendrum, Animal Experiments Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation, said the latest statistics show there is still a long way to go.

She told That's Green that she welcomed the overall reduction in animal use but expressed concern that the number of beagles, primates and horses had increased. She said the Government's pledge to phase out animal testing now needs to be reflected in the statistics through a much faster shift towards research methods that are both more reliable for humans and avoid the use of animals altogether.

Scientists are increasingly developing innovative alternatives, including advanced cell cultures, organ-on-a-chip technology, computer modelling and artificial intelligence. Supporters believe these approaches can provide results that are more relevant to human biology while reducing the need for animal experiments.

Naturewatch Foundation hopes the Government's recently announced strategy, developed alongside researchers, industry and animal welfare organisations, will deliver measurable progress in replacing animal testing with these emerging technologies.

The charity is also encouraging consumers to play their part by supporting companies committed to cruelty-free practices. Its Compassionate Shopping Guide helps shoppers identify brands that do not benefit from animal testing, allowing purchasing decisions to contribute towards a future where scientific innovation and animal welfare go hand in hand.

For many campaigners, the latest figures serve as a reminder that while progress is being made, there is still considerable work ahead before animal testing becomes a thing of the past.

https://www.naturewatch.org

Children Can Legally Buy Weapons Used to Kill Wildlife, MPs Warned

MPs have been warned that anyone, including children, can legally buy weapons capable of killing wildlife, as a legal loophole allows catapults and slingshots to be sold cheaply and without restriction across England and Wales.

The warning was issued during a Parliamentary briefing hosted by Naturewatch Foundation, which highlighted growing evidence that catapults are being deliberately misused to injure and kill wildlife, damage property and intimidate rural communities. 

Despite their potential to cause serious harm, catapults remain completely unregulated in England and Wales, with no minimum age for purchase and no meaningful controls on sale or power.

Naturewatch Foundation warned MPs current legislation leaves police and communities powerless to act. 

Officers are unable to confiscate catapults unless another offence has already been committed, and incidents involving catapults are not recorded as a specific crime. 

This means the true scale of wildlife harm, antisocial behaviour and community impact is significantly underestimated. The event room in Parliament was kindly sponsored by Max Wilkinson MP.

“These items being sold are not toys and it is not harmless mischief,” Jim Clark, Wildlife Crime Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation told That's Green.

“Modern catapults are capable of lethal force. Legislative failure to tackle this issue is costing wildlife their lives, traumatising communities and putting unnecessary pressure on already overstretched police forces. It’s a loophole that urgently needs closing.”

Wildlife rescue centres across the UK continue to report rising numbers of injured and killed animals, including swans, birds, hedgehogs, squirrels and domestic pets, many believed to have been deliberately targeted using catapults and crossbows.

At Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre, birds accounted for 50 of 53 wildlife shooting victims treated in the years 2023-2025, though the centre warns the true scale is likely far higher, with thousands of cases recorded as “unknown trauma”.

Calls for Change

Alongside the Parliamentary briefing, Naturewatch Foundation has launched a public petition calling for catapult sales to be restricted to over-18s, urging both government action and greater responsibility from major retailers.

The petition calls on the Policing Minister, Sarah Jones MP, to support legislation closing the loophole that allows catapults to be sold without restriction, while also pressing retailers to introduce immediate voluntary age checks and remove high-powered catapults from toy and sports categories.

“Retailers have the power to act now, even before the law changes,” Jim Clark added. “When a leading retailer continues to sell unregulated weapons to anyone of any age, it enables harm that is entirely preventable.”

Some retailers are taking voluntary steps ahead of legislation. For example Gumtree, one of the UK’s largest marketplaces for local buying and selling, now prohibits the sale of catapults and slingshots on its platform, following campaigning from Naturewatch Foundation.

Andy Harper, CEO of Gumtree, stated: “Animal cruelty has no place in society, and we are committed to ensuring our platform is not used to facilitate the sale of items that could contribute to such harm.’’

Naturewatch Foundation is campaigning for:

The introduction of an age restriction of 18+ for purchasing catapults and slingshots

Exploration of sales controls similar to those used for knives and air weapons

Prevention of sales of ultra-high-powered devices marketed irresponsibly for “hunting”

Improvement of crime recording to accurately capture catapult-related offending

Naturewatch Foundation stressed that catapult misuse is not a niche issue: Wildlife crime linked to catapults is widespread but underreported; damage to livestock, pets, vehicles and property is increasing; wildlife deaths undermine conservation efforts and local tourism and public support for stronger wildlife protection is consistently high.

naturewatch.org