Australia has become the latest country to launch a Transparency Agreement on animal research (TA), making it the second country outside Europe to do so, alongside New Zealand, and the tenth country globally.

The first 30 signatories of the Australian TA include universities, medical research institutes and other institutions associated with the use of animals in biomedical research and teaching. Among the organisations involved in developing the Australian TA were the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) and the Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association (ANZLAA), both EARA members.

By signing the TA, signatories voluntarily pledge to show greater openness about how, why and when animals are used in research to the public, through four commitments.

The other TAs in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the UK have all continued to grow since their initial setup, with many signatory institutions taking impressive steps to inform the public about animal research through initiatives such as outreach activities and public events.

Kirk Leech, EARA executive director, said: “Today’s launch of a Transparency Agreement in Australia is very welcome news, and demonstrates the increasing willingness and enthusiasm of the global biomedical community in speaking openly about the continued necessity of animal research.

“EARA is hopeful that more countries will join this important initiative in the future, to make transparency about animal research an even more prominent point on the agenda, and to continue the growth of Transparency Agreements worldwide.”

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See also: The Madarin 21/03/2024