Durham University re-affirms commitment to openness in animal research

Durham University has joined other members of the scientific community in signing up to a national pledge of openness in animal research, launched at London's Royal Society today. Durham joins a range of research funding bodies, charities and other UK universities who have agreed to sign up to the national Concordat for openness in animal research. The University has taken several steps in recent years to be more open about animal research, which include publishing a detailed statement on its website. Professor Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor, Durham University, said: "I am very pleased to have signed on behalf of Durham University, as it is very important to be open and transparent about properly regulated animal research in the United Kingdom." Durham University uses animals in a variety of its research work, which is strictly regulated and includes scientific procedures and observational work in the laboratory and in the field. In doing this, it strives for the very highest standards of care and wellbeing for all animals.