I AM surprised that Jan Creamer, of the National Anti Vivisection Society, attacking the use of animals in medical research (Letters, December 16), seems to be unaware of the very strict controls on animal research in this country.

Applications to use animals are always subject to close examination before they are granted, by specialist Home Office inspectors, who are all qualified vets and doctors.

This ensures that no animals are used if there is a non-animal method that can be used instead, that animal experiments are not needlessly repeated and that no animal is used unless it is necessary.

All licence applications must pass local ethical review and laboratories may also be inspected by other genuine animal welfare experts.

The video produced recently by NAVS is simply a compilation of footage from their various covert operations over the last nine years. Over this period, they made several allegations, all of which were thoroughly investigated at the time and action was taken where necessary.

We have the strictest controls in the world on the use of animals in medical research. These controls safeguard animal welfare while allowing important medical research to go ahead.

Such research is crucial if we are to find solutions to serious medical problems such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease and spinal injury.

BARBARA DAVIES, Deputy Director, Research Defence Society, Great Marlborough Street, London W1.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.