Animal protection campaigners today welcomed the support of local MP John McDonnell for important advances in the effort to reduce the use of animals in laboratories.

Twin campaigns by the BUAV, Britain’s leading organisation campaigning to end animal experiments, call for lifting the secrecy surrounding the licensing of animal experiments and an end to the use of animal testing for household products such as washing-up liquid.

Both campaigns have been accepted in principle by the Government, who promised last year to implement the changes before the election, but with time running out McDonnell has joined with 86 colleagues across all parties to support a motion calling for immediate action.

John McDonnell said, “Like many of my constituents I want to see an end to animals used for testing household products. I do not believe it is justifiable to cause animals suffering in this way.”

BUAV Chief Executive, Michelle Thew said, “We welcome John McDonnell support for this motion. When a consensus on progress has finally been reached, it would be very frustrating if it failed to materialise due to Government inaction in the last two months of this Parliament. We hope that John’s backing will help secure these important steps in making a difference for animals in laboratories.”