Scientific testing procedures on animals fall to lowest level since 2007

Significant fall in use of primates and dogs over last decade, statistics show

The majority of procedures used mice, fish or rats, which have been the most used for the past decade (Getty Images)

Scientific testing on animals has fallen to its lowest level in England, Scotland and Wales since 2007, official figures show.

Data from the Home Office reveals that 3.4 million scientific testing procedures were carried out on live animals in Britain last year, a fall of 3 per cent from 2018.

The majority (93 per cent) used mice, fish or rats, which have been the most used for the past decade.