Freedom of Information
This page is coming soon.
UAR's FoI briefing is available here, but is relevant to UK legislation.
Openness and Accountability
Freedom of information is designed to:
- promote a culture of openness and accountability
- facilitate better public understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, why they make the decisions they do, and how they spend public money.
Understanding Animal Research welcomes the greater openness that freedom of information brings to discussions about animal research. With more good quality information about how and why animals are used, people are in a better position to debate the issues.
According to public opinion surveys 'having information and perceived openness and honesty are the two key considerations for the public in order for them to have trust in a system of controls and regulations about biological developments'.
Exemptions
Not all information held by a public body is eligable for release under freedom of information. There are a total of 25 exemptions that may prevent the release of information.
- Where disclosure is likely to endanger the safety of any individual
- Information received in confidence
- Where disclosure would prejudice commercial interests
- Where disclosure would prejudice prevention of crime
- Information intended for future publication
