This Statutory Instrument, made by the Secretary of State under the powers conferred by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, sets the new fees applicable for licence holders involved in scientific procedures using animals, effective from 6th April 2026 across England, Wales, and Scotland; specifically, it revokes the 2024 Fees Order and establishes a revised fee structure composed of a fixed element (£1168) and a variable element (£382 per relevant personal licence holder).
Arguments For
Establishes updated fees for licensing undertakings involving animal procedures, ensuring costs reflect current administrative demands.
Increases both the fixed and variable fee elements, which likely supports the regulatory body in maintaining necessary standards for animal welfare inspections and oversight in scientific research environments.
Provides legal clarity by explicitly revoking the preceding 2024 Fees Order, preventing confusion regarding the applicable fee structure.
Arguments Against
The fee increase (fixed element from £1007 to £1168 and variable from £329 to £382) raises operating costs for research institutions and commercial entities utilizing licensed animal procedures in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Raising regulatory fees may potentially place a small additional financial burden on scientific research activities, despite the exemption from a full impact assessment.
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 291
ANIMALS
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order 2026
Made - -
12th March 2026
Laid before Parliament
16th March 2026
Coming into force -
6th April 2026
This identifies the instrument as a Statutory Instrument, numbered 2026 No. 291, concerning Animals.
It specifies the title, the date it was made (12th March 2026), the date it was presented to Parliament (16th March 2026), and its commencement date (6th April 2026).
The Secretary of State makes this Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986( 1 ).
The Secretary of State issued this Order by using the authority granted under section 8 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Citation, commencement and extent
- -(1) This Order may be cited as the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order 2026 and comes into force on 6th April 2026.
- (2) This Order extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
The first Article establishes the official citation for this legislation as the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order 2026 and confirms the operative date as 6th April 2026.
It also specifies that the remit of this Order covers England, Wales, and Scotland.
Fee payable under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
- -(1) The fee payable by the holder of a licence granted under section 2C of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (licensing of undertakings)( 2 ) is to be determined as follows.
(2) For each period of 12 months beginning with 6th April, there is to be a fixed and a variable element of the fee.
(3) The fixed element is £1168, which is payable for a licence which is in force for the whole or any part of that period.
(4) The variable element is £382 for each person who, during the whole or any part of that period, holds a personal licence( 3 ) which specifies the same establishment as that specified in the licence granted under section 2C as the place at which an undertaking can be carried on.
Article 2 stipulates how the fees for licence holders under section 2C of the 1986 Act, which cover the licensing of commercial undertakings, are calculated annually starting 6th April.
The fee structure includes a set 'fixed element' of £1168, payable regardless of usage volume, provided the licence is active. Additionally, there is a 'variable element' of £382 charged for every individual holding a personal licence tied to the same establishment specified in the main undertaking licence.
( 1 ) 1986 c. 14. Section 8 was amended by S.I. 2012/3039.
( 2 ) A licence granted under section 2C authorises the holder to carry on, at a specified place, an undertaking which involves the activities mentioned in section 2B(2) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 or such of those activities as are specified in the licence. Section 2C was inserted by S.I. 2012/3039 and amended by S.I. 2019/72.
( 3 ) A personal licence is a licence granted in accordance with section 4 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which qualifies the holder personally to apply regulated procedures. Section 4 was amended by S.I. 1998/1974 and S.I. 2012/3039.
These footnotes provide context regarding the legislation referenced.
Footnote (1) cites the primary Act and notes an amendment to Section 8 in 2012.
Footnote (2) clarifies that a Section 2C licence permits carrying out specified scientific procedures at a named location, noting that Section 2C itself was inserted and later amended.
Footnote (3) defines a personal licence as one granted under Section 4, which authorizes an individual to carry out regulated procedures personally.
Revocation
- The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order 2024( 4 ) is revoked.
Article 3 officially cancels the immediately preceding legislation, The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order 2024, meaning that instrument is no longer in effect upon the commencement of this new Order.
12th March 2026
Hanson Minister of State Home Office
This indicates the date the Order was signed and the authority who laid it before Parliament, namely a Minister of State from the Home Office named Hanson.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order determines the fee payable by the holder of a licence issued under section 2C of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (c. 14). Article 2 increases the fixed element of the fee from £1007 to £1168 and the variable element from £329 to £382.
Article 3 revokes the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (Fees) Order 2024.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
The Explanatory Note, which does not form part of the legal Order itself, outlines the purpose: setting fees under Section 2C of the 1986 Act.
It highlights that Article 2 increases the fixed fee from £1007 to £1168 and the variable fee from £329 to £382, while Article 3 revokes the 2024 Order.
Furthermore, it states that a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary because the financial effect on the private, voluntary, or public sectors is expected to be minimal or non-existent.
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