Eurogroup calls for an end to the use of Primates in Testing

At the occasion of the 5th World Congress on Alternatives

PRESS INFORMATION - Brussels, 22 August 2005

Today, at the start of the 5th World Congress on Alternatives & Animal use in the Life Sciences1 in Berlin, Eurogroup expressed concern about the continuous use of animals in research and the slow progress in the development, validation and acceptance of non-animal alternatives. As a result, over 10 million animals2 continue to be used in the EU in experiments every year, including mice, rats, fish, pigs, goats, cats, dogs and primates.

Specific attention is drawn to a Resolution to end the use of non-human primates in biomedical research and testing, presented by Eurogroup in conjunction with other international animal protection organisations from around the world.

The Berlin congress provides an opportunity for around 600 participants from around the world to review, discuss and promote progress in the 3Rs: the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal tests. It is also the ideal forum to push the demand for an end to primate testing on the political and research agenda.

Non-human primates are highly intelligent, sentient animals. They form intricate social relationships and they interact with their environment in a highly complex way. They are very close to humans in their biology and capabilities and have the capacity to experience pain and distress in a range of negative and positive emotions.

Eurogroup Director, Sonja van Tichelen said, "We represent concerned European citizens who are worried about the continued use of animals in research, and in particular non-human primates. We would all like to see the end of animal testing but recognise that this will not happen overnight. A substantial increase in government and industry funding and commitment is urgently needed to accelerate the development and use of non-animal alternatives".

Ends

For further information contact
Marlou Heinen,
Tel: +32 (0)2 740 08 20;
Mobile: +32 (495) 24 23 33

or Mark Redgrove,
Tel: +32 (0)2 740 08 20


Eurogroup for Animal Welfare,
6 rue des Patriotes,
B-1000 Brussels.

1 http://www.ctw-congress.de/act2005/default.html
2 EU-15, 2002. COM(2005)7 final, 4th report on the statistics on the number of animals used for experimental and other
scientific purposes in the Member States of the EU.

Source: Eurogroup for Animal Welfare

Link: UK: How much animal testing is done?
Link: Worldwide Call For Primate Testing Ban


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