HOC PIL A - The Law & Lab Animals Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update
2025/2026
Prior to 1986, which act enabled all work with animals? - Answers The Cruelty to Animals Act
What is the name of the current act which enables all work with animals? - Answers The
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
In what year was the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 amended? - Answers 2012
Are non-protected animals covered in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986? - Answers
No
Can regulated procedures be carried out in non-licensed establishments? - Answers No
Define a protected animal. - Answers Any living vertebrate, other than man, and all cephalopods.
At what stage do mammals become protected? - Answers From two thirds through the
gestation period.
At what stage do birds become protected? - Answers From two thirds through the incubation
period.
At what stage do reptiles become protected? - Answers From two thirds through the gestation
or incubation period.
At what stage do fish and amphibia become protected? - Answers From the time at which they
become capable of independent feeding.
At what stage do cephalopods become protected? - Answers As soon as the eggs hatch.
Define a regulated procedure? - Answers Any experimental or scientific procedure applied to a
protected animal which may cause the animal pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.
Does pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm relate to the physiological or the psychological
state of the animal? - Answers Both physiological and psychological.
What is commission? - Answers Dosing an animal with a drug etc.
What is omission? - Answers Changing an animals food etc.
What is permission? - Answers Breeding transgenic animals etc.
What is the minimum threshold of pain/discomfort/distress defined as? - Answers The skilled
insertion of a hypodermic needle using good veterinary practice.
Who can grant licenses to people? - Answers The Home Secretary (AKA Secretary of State)
, Who suspends or revokes licences? - Answers The Home Secretary
Can an individual be prosecuted if they breach the ASPA 1986 act? - Answers Yes
what do the 'animals in science committee' do? - Answers Give independent advice on animals
(unbiased).
What 4 things can the 'animals in science committee' give advice on? - Answers 1. Acquisition
2. Breeding
3. Accommodation and Care
4. Use of Protected Animals
Are the 'animals in science committee' independent from the home office? - Answers Yes
Can the 'animals in science committee' give advice to the Home Secretary? - Answers Yes
What qualifications do Home Office Inspectors require? - Answers Veterinary or medically
qualified.
What do the Home Office Inspectors do? - Answers 1. Ensure compliance with the 'Animals
(Scientific Procedures) Act 1986' by making visits.
2. Review all project licence applications.
3. Advice whether a licence should be granted or revoked etc.
Are Home Office Inspector visits announced or unannounced? - Answers Both
Does the Home Office Inspector have the power to make an animal be killed immediately? -
Answers Yes
What is PEL? - Answers Establishment Licence
What does an Establishment Licence (PEL) do? - Answers Licences the establishment at which
procedures are conducted on protected species.
What is a PPL? - Answers Project License
What does a Project License (PPL) do? - Answers Licenses the scientific scope of the proposed
work.
What is a PIL? - Answers Personal Licence
What does a personal licence (PIL) do? - Answers Licences individuals to conduct defined
experimental procedures on protected species.
2025/2026
Prior to 1986, which act enabled all work with animals? - Answers The Cruelty to Animals Act
What is the name of the current act which enables all work with animals? - Answers The
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
In what year was the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 amended? - Answers 2012
Are non-protected animals covered in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986? - Answers
No
Can regulated procedures be carried out in non-licensed establishments? - Answers No
Define a protected animal. - Answers Any living vertebrate, other than man, and all cephalopods.
At what stage do mammals become protected? - Answers From two thirds through the
gestation period.
At what stage do birds become protected? - Answers From two thirds through the incubation
period.
At what stage do reptiles become protected? - Answers From two thirds through the gestation
or incubation period.
At what stage do fish and amphibia become protected? - Answers From the time at which they
become capable of independent feeding.
At what stage do cephalopods become protected? - Answers As soon as the eggs hatch.
Define a regulated procedure? - Answers Any experimental or scientific procedure applied to a
protected animal which may cause the animal pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.
Does pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm relate to the physiological or the psychological
state of the animal? - Answers Both physiological and psychological.
What is commission? - Answers Dosing an animal with a drug etc.
What is omission? - Answers Changing an animals food etc.
What is permission? - Answers Breeding transgenic animals etc.
What is the minimum threshold of pain/discomfort/distress defined as? - Answers The skilled
insertion of a hypodermic needle using good veterinary practice.
Who can grant licenses to people? - Answers The Home Secretary (AKA Secretary of State)
, Who suspends or revokes licences? - Answers The Home Secretary
Can an individual be prosecuted if they breach the ASPA 1986 act? - Answers Yes
what do the 'animals in science committee' do? - Answers Give independent advice on animals
(unbiased).
What 4 things can the 'animals in science committee' give advice on? - Answers 1. Acquisition
2. Breeding
3. Accommodation and Care
4. Use of Protected Animals
Are the 'animals in science committee' independent from the home office? - Answers Yes
Can the 'animals in science committee' give advice to the Home Secretary? - Answers Yes
What qualifications do Home Office Inspectors require? - Answers Veterinary or medically
qualified.
What do the Home Office Inspectors do? - Answers 1. Ensure compliance with the 'Animals
(Scientific Procedures) Act 1986' by making visits.
2. Review all project licence applications.
3. Advice whether a licence should be granted or revoked etc.
Are Home Office Inspector visits announced or unannounced? - Answers Both
Does the Home Office Inspector have the power to make an animal be killed immediately? -
Answers Yes
What is PEL? - Answers Establishment Licence
What does an Establishment Licence (PEL) do? - Answers Licences the establishment at which
procedures are conducted on protected species.
What is a PPL? - Answers Project License
What does a Project License (PPL) do? - Answers Licenses the scientific scope of the proposed
work.
What is a PIL? - Answers Personal Licence
What does a personal licence (PIL) do? - Answers Licences individuals to conduct defined
experimental procedures on protected species.
