EARA encourages the biomedical sector, in every country, to make a commitment to openness and transparency in its use of animals for research.
Animal research has played an essential role in the advancement of our scientific, medical, and veterinary knowledge. The regulated use of animal models in scientific research continues to play a fundamental role in expanding our understanding of the mechanisms that regulate our health or the development of diseases.
A large part of our society understands that animal models are a fundamental part of the biomedical research strategy. However, there are also people who oppose this type of research or are unsure about whether to support it.
The need to foster open and transparent communication with the general public, about the benefits to society of using animals in biomedical research, has been one of the life sciences’ key priorities over the last decade and more.
Transparency Agreements around the world
United Kingdom
Since 2014
Spain
Since 2016
Portugal
Since 2018
Belgium
Since 2019
France
Since 2021
Netherlands
Since 2021
Germany
Since 2021
New Zealand
Since 2021
Switzerland
Since 2022
Australia
Since 2023
More than 550 institutions around the world have signed a Transparency Agreement on animal research
By signing up to a national Transparency Agreement, the signatories agree to four commitments:
- Speak with clarity about when, how and why animals are used in investigation.
- Provide adequate information to the media and the general public about the conditions under which research using animals is carried out and the results obtained from them.
- Develop initiatives that generate greater knowledge and understanding in society about the use of animals in scientific research.
- Report annually on progress and share experiences.
The role of EARA in openness
Since EARA was founded in 2014, it has further developed the concept of transparency agreements in Europe and encouraged and guided institutions towards a culture of openness and transparency about the use of research animals.
The first transparency agreement developed in collaboration with EARA was launched in Spain in 2016, by the Confederation of Scientific Organizations and Societies of Spain (COSCE), and is now the largest worldwide.
Following Spain, there have been transparency agreements in a further six European countries – Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland. There are now more than 500 European institutions in total giving their support – and globally more than 550 institutions.
The support and co-ordination of EARA has played a significant role in driving many of these efforts and has provided a platform for sharing good practice in communications and a sense of collective endeavour and solidarity among institutions and researchers. EARA is currently working on several projects to launch more transparency agreements in Europe, as well as the rest of the world.
EARA’s contribution to kickstarting and supporting many of the European transparency agreements that exist today has ultimately culminated in a culture of increased appreciation and understanding of the importance of open communication among the biomedical research and life sciences communities.
As institutions continue to make strides towards greater transparency, the lessons learned from the experiences of current transparency agreements can serve as a guide and inspiration for others seeking to establish formal animal research openness agreements around the world.
