Cruelty Free International publishes ‘First Steps’ report on the phase-out of animal testing in the UK
Animal protection NGO, Cruelty Free International, shares its initial recommendations for government plans to phase out animal testing in the UK, with its ‘Creating a cruelty-free future’ report.
The Labour Party manifesto pledged to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing” – and Cruelty Free International stands ready to assist with the development of a roadmap with clear targets, milestones and actions, led by a board of experts and a new minister to co-ordinate plans across all departments.
The report, which can be downloaded from the Cruelty Free International website, details the first concrete steps that can be taken by the government towards delivering on its commitment.
Cruelty Free International’s proposals represent priority actions that a government which is serious about the ending of animal testing must take in the early stages of its tenure. None of the proposals require the introduction of new laws or major additional expenditure and can be started without delay. In taking these steps, the government can set the long-term trajectory and establish clear expectations while taking advantage of early wins and laying the foundations for future success.
These include:
- appointing a minister for animals in science
- creating a cross-government taskforce to enhance co-ordination
- publishing a list of tests which are already redundant and can be ended immediately
- setting targets and deadlines for each stage of the phase-out
- redirecting funding away from animal-based research into non-animal testing methods
- reforming R&D tax incentives to promote innovation in animal-free science
- creating an Animal-Free Science Innovation Hub
Home Office statistics show that there were over 2.76m uses of animals in laboratories in Great Britain in 2022.
This means that animals suffer in over 7,560 experiments conducted in laboratories in Great Britain every day – over 315 experiments on animals are conducted every hour of every day, or five every minute. Many of the animals used will go on to die as a result of their cruel treatment. These tests include the use of dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, guinea pigs, hamsters and monkeys, as well as rats and mice.
Animal testing pervades almost every aspect of daily life in the UK – food, clothes, household cleaning products, furniture, electronic goods, paints and dyes can all be associated with animal testing on their way to our homes, through tests required by regulators to assess the safety or effectiveness of every product.
These changes also have significant public support: in 2021, Cruelty Free International’s survey found that 66 per cent of people want a government-led plan to phase out animal experiments with a target date for ending tests in the UK.
Cruelty Free International's Head of Public Affairs, Dylan Underhill, said: “In its manifesto the Labour party made a bold commitment to reach out across society to work towards the phase out of animal testing. We stand ready with years of experience and ambitious but practical proposals to tackle this mission with them now that they are in government.
"Animal testing is simply not good science yet inexplicably continues as the default method for testing the safety of products. Animal testing touches our lives in many ways that most of us don’t appreciate, yet non-animal testing methods have in many cases already proven themselves to be faster, cheaper and more accurate than animal testing.
“Animal testing won’t end tomorrow, but a total phase-out is within our grasp if we are bold and seize the opportunities presented by cutting-edge, humane and human-relevant science.”
Cruelty Free International is one of the world’s longest-standing and most respected animal protection organisations. The organisation is widely regarded as an authority on animal testing issues and is frequently called upon by governments, media, corporations and official bodies for its advice or expert opinion.
Visit www.crueltyfreeinternational.org or email dylan.underhill@crueltyfreeinternational.org.
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