The Committee's terms of reference were:

"To consider and report on issues respecting animals in scientific procedures in the United Kingdom, including—

(1) the working of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986;

(2) the effectiveness of and justification for animal procedures, particularly in:

(i)  medicine

(ii)  education

(iii)  defence

(iv)  product testing; and

(3) the development and use of alternatives to animal procedures;

—  and in all the foregoing considerations to pay regard to:

• public attitudes, availability of information, labelling and consumer issues;
• development in biotechnology, and the likely future demand for animal procedures;
• the effect of any changes on the economy and the science base;
• EU and international law and practice."