This is a public statement just issued by EARA, regarding video footage that appeared this week in the media of several European countries.
The European Animal Research Association (EARA) was established to better inform the European public and political decision makers of the continued need for, and benefits of, the humane use of animals in biomedical research.
The use of animals, including monkeys and dogs, has played an important role in the safety testing of new medicines and chemicals that may affect human health. In addition, under existing EU legislation, safety testing on animals before human trials is a legal requirement.
EARA was shocked and dismayed to see footage taken from inside the Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology (LPT) in Hamburg Germany. Whilst the footage has been edited, and we would ask that the unedited footage be made publicly available, what has been shown so far reveals unacceptable animal welfare standards.
The handling subjected to some of the animals, the cages monkeys are held in, and the post-operative conditions that some animals were left in, do not belong in any twenty first century research facility.
EARA was disappointed that LPT has so far refused to answer any of the questions raised by the film, even after EARA has urged them to. Such silence does a disservice to the thousands of researchers and research institutes in Europe involved in the honourable endeavour of biomedical research, and who pay a high regard to animal welfare.
We urge LPT to make a full statement addressing these concerns, and to work with the authorities in its investigation of LPT’s compliance with animal welfare practices and regulations.
Kirk Leech EARA Executive Director
Last updated on 16/10/19