Known as the "secrecy clause", Section 24 ASPA is often used to block FOI requests for information on animal welfare in laboratories.

---

What Does the Law Say?

 A person is guilty of an offence if otherwise than for the purpose of discharging his functions under this Act he discloses any information which has been obtained by him in the exercise of those functions and which he knows or has reasonable grounds for believing to have been given in confidence.

— 24. Protection of confidential information

From the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).

What Section 24 Protects

It is supposed to protect confidential information such as the identify of researchers or facilities, the details of the experiment or testing, and intellectual property.

How it’s Used in Practice

In reality, this means information on animal welfare is not available. Without that information, animal suffering is hidden away from the public eyes. No scrutiny is possible.

The intention of this law is unclear. It is unclear who this applies to, what information falls under protection. Researchers have voiced concerns about not sharing information in fear of accidentally breaking the law.

This clause of the law is also often use to refuse FOI requests by NGOs and animal rights groups.

Why it’s Problematic – the Stats

Here are some examples of why the lack of transparency is problematic.

In 2024, an annual report was published by the Animal in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU). In the report, it states that

• 146 cases were reported to be non-compliant
• 22,204 animals were affected
• Of which, 189 animals had “adverse outcome”

Animal Free Research UK has a nice page with summary graphics about the ASRU 2024 report.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 Era

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the public a legal right to access information held by public authorities. This is in direct conflict of ASPA where it makes it an offence for the public authority to release information.

Since the implementation of FOIA, there have been numerous debate and reviews on ASPA in Parliament.

2014 Consultation – the Review

A series of work led to the 2014 Consultation where the Home Office set out to review Section 24 of ASPA. In the consultation, they proposed 4 options on how the law should change.

• Option 1: No nothing
• Option 2a, 2b, 3: amend or appeal Section 24

The Home Office went into lengths to explain why the review on Section 24 was necessary, and that they see Option 1 as “unatainable”.

The purpose of the consultation was to ask the public on their views on these 4 options. They promised to analysis the public responses, publish a document and outline their policy intention.

The consultation run from 1 May 2014 and closed on 13 June 2014.

Until the date of writing (22 April 2026), the outcome of the consultation has yet to be published, nor any policy intentions announced. This consultation just went into a black hole.

Related FOIs

Requesting information on 2014 consultation outcome: a) ‘Response to Document’, b) public responses, c) draft proposals. Full FOI and responses from the Home Office on WhatDoTheyKnow.com.

Links to Resources

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

2014 consultation on the Review of Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986