The roadmap will "ensure government, businesses and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively," the Science Minister said.
The roadmap backs researchers to seize on new and developing opportunities to replace certain animal tests, which are currently still used.
It will also determine the safety of products like life-saving vaccines and the impact chemicals like pesticides can have on living beings and the environment.
The strategy recognises that phasing out the use of animals in science can only happen where reliable and effective alternative methods, with the same level of safety for human exposure, can replace them.
It seeks to introduce safer and more compassionate measures using exciting new technologies including:
Other plans in the strategy include an end to regulatory testing on animals to assess the potential for skin and eye irritation and skin sensitisation by the end of 2026.
By 2027 researchers are expected to end tests of the strength of botox on mice and to use only DNA-based lab methods for adventitious agent testing of human medicines – the process for detecting viruses or bacteria that might accidentally contaminate medicines.
By 2030 it will also reduce pharmacokinetic studies – which track how a drug moves through the body over time – on dogs and non-human primates.
Science Minister Lord Vallance said:"Nobody in our country of animal lovers wants to see suffering and our plan will support work to end animaltesting wherever possible and roll out alternatives as soon as it is safe and effective to do so.
"This is a roadmap which will ensure government, businesses and animal welfare groups can work together to find alternatives to animal testing faster and more effectively."
The strategy is backed by £60 million of funding, which will be used to set up a hub that will bring together data, technology and expertise to promote collaboration between researchers.
It will also go towards a separate new centre to make the path to regulatory approval for new alternatives as straightforward as possible.
Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman said:"This strategy is an important step forward for animal welfare in our country. By harnessing our scientific excellence, we can deliver real benefits for animal welfare while advancing innovative research that improves lives.
"It is tremendous news for people like me, who care passionately about animal welfare, that we are now able to move towards a future where animal testing is only ever a last resort."
What is animal testing?
According to Cruetly Free International, an animal test is "any scientific experiment or test in which a live animal is forced to undergo something that is likely to cause them pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm."
Animal experiments are different to taking animals to the vet and animals used in labs are often deliberately harmed, and usually killed following an the experiment.
Many animals are injected or force fed with potentially harmful substances, while others have their organs or tissues surgically removed to deliberately cause damage.
Other tests can involve forcing animals to inhale toxic gases and subjecting them to frightening situations to create anxiety and depression.
What is the UK law around animal testing?
Animal testing in the UK is strictly regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).
The UK has banned animal testing for cosmetics and is phasing out testing for household products.
You need 3 licences from the Home Office before you can carry out procedures using living animals.
