A House of Lords committee has today called for more effort to be made to reduce the numbers of animals used for experiments in the UK.

However, the animals in scientific procedures committee admitted that the practice will continue for the "foreseeable future" in order to guarantee medicines and compounds are safe for humankind.

Forum Response: BUAV

Michelle Thew, chief executive of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, told ePolitix.com: "There is much to welcome in this report. We have been campaigning for years for greater transparency, increased alternatives funding and more independence in the Home Office Inspectorate, and all these calls have been vindicated in this report.

"Of course we are disappointed that many of the recommendations are far too tentative and there are many lost opportunities for much needed radical reform, however the government and the Home Office has rightly come in for some damning criticism that will be difficult to ignore.

"If the government refuses to introduce changes now, it will be demonstrating its contempt for democracy, public concern and animal welfare."

Forum Response: Association of Medical Research Charities

Dr Simon Festing, spokesman for the AMRC, told ePolitix.com: "Patients suffering illnesses like cancer or cystic fibrosis will be relieved that the Lord's committee have so strongly endorsed the use of animals in medical research.

"With any luck the irresponsible and now discredited anti-vivisection movement should wither and die."

Forum Response: National Anti Vivisection Society

Jan Creamer, director of the NAVS, told ePolitix.com: "If the government listens to this report, removes the secrecy on animal experiments and shows commitment to the development of better methods, both people and animals would benefit.

"We hope that the government responds to the public anger and frustration caused by excessive secrecy on this issue".