<Sorry no pics, wouldn't want to see them anyway>.


DAVID Drew is to lobby the Ministry of Defence to stop killing pigs in explosives tests after discovering that large numbers are still used by researchers.

The Stroud MP branded the practice, aimed at investigating post-trauma treatment for blast victims, as ‘unacceptable’.

But the MoD claims that using pigs is the only suitable option and has saved many lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Speaking to the SNJ, Mr Drew, said: "I was shocked that they use pigs and I was shocked at the large numbers.

"It is unacceptable to use animals in that way and I will be pushing the MoD not to do it and to look at other ways to examine injuries."

Mr Drew said the wound processes in pigs were not comparable to humans and suggested using computer models.

The Government revealed the information in an answer to a question asked in Parliament by Mr Drew on behalf of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.

Defence minister Quentin Davies said researchers had used 119 pigs in the last four years: 25 in 2006, 19 in 2007, 40 in 2008 and 35 in 2009.

Mr Davies said the research included evaluation of body trauma caused by various blast explosive injuries to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of post-traumatic treatment.

"This research has led to significant advances in post-traumatic techniques, such as reducing blood loss from major trauma, and has saved many lives in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.

"The advances can be utilised both in theatre and civilian scenarios, particularly if there are mass casualties and evacuation to hospital is delayed."

An MoD spokesman added that animals are only used as a 'last resort' and said there were no suitable alternatives for these particular tests.

She said the pigs were terminally anaesthetised, meaning they were not aware of the tests, and the studies were strictly monitored and regulated.

The spokesman said pigs were used because they have a similar physiology to humans.

Sarah Kite, director of special projects at the BUAV, said: "We are shocked by these experiments.

"The idea of deliberately exploding pigs will be repulsive to most people."

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