International Testing Programs

Between the rights of animals that were recently enshrined under the German constitution and a Europewide directive requiring the use of alternatives in place of animal experiments where they exist, it might seem as though animals in European laboratories are relatively better off than those in the U.S. and elsewhere. Scratch the surface, however, and things aren't so rosy.

The European Union has just introduced a new chemical-testing strategy that is likely to cause millions of animals to be needlessly killed in cruel and outdated toxicity tests. The plans call for some 30,000 common chemicals to be subjected to an extensive range of animal testing. As a result of heavy pressure from PETA and other animal protection organizations, the final law is less destructive than the original draft and contains some progressive elements—but still, millions of animals are likely to die.

Europe is home to some of the most shocking experiments on nonhuman primates ever to be documented. An undercover investigation in 2003 at the German branch of Covance, one of the largest contract-testing labs in the world, documented the horrific suffering of thousands of monkeys who were subjected to a life of deprivation, fear, torment, and poisoning—findings repeated when PETA investigated a U.S. Covance laboratory the following year. A similarly deplorable chimpanzee facility in the Netherlands at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre has finally been shut down after performing harmful experiments on chimpanzees for years. Tireless campaigning by PETA and other animal advocates resulted in another victory for animals when plans to create a massive new primate-research facility at Cambridge University were permanently shelved. However, the battle to put an end to harmful research on nonhuman primates and other animals is far from over.

The European Union is considering new legislation that would regulate animal experiments in all 27 member countries. Currently, 12 million animals are officially used in scientific procedures in the European Union every year, and the use of many other animals goes unrecorded. There is no possibility for the new law to end animal tests, but PETA will work hard to ensure that we obtain the best possible results for animals with regard to the process of turning the proposal into law. One of the many measures we will be fighting for will be a permanent end to tests on primates.

With your help, we can bring about a day when one step forward for animals in laboratories does not also mean two steps back. Get the facts and the information you need to help here.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

British Heartless Foundation

Intro to Vivisection PowerPoint Presentation

Experience a Real Research Lab Firsthand

| | |