Media release 11 September 2007 National Anti Vivisection Campaign

Situation for animals in labs getting worse

Anti Vivisection campaigners say the situation for animals in laboratories is getting worse, not better. This follows the release of the Ministry of Agricultures annual report into animal experimentation today. The report says 318419 animals were used in research and testing last year. 4804 animals were subjected to 'severe suffering' and 11489 to 'very severe suffering'. Species used included cats, dogs, guinea pigs, horses, mice, rats and more.

National Anti Vivisection Campaign Spokesperson Mark Eden says "Every time they release the vivisection statistics they claim they are committed to reducing the numbers of animals used, but the numbers keep going up. The government keeps saying we have the strictest animal research regulations in the world but it's simply not true".

"Part six of the animal welfare act exempts researchers from prosecution as long as they fill in the right forms. The Animal Ethics Committees that approve experiments are made up mostly of researchers, they meet in secret and the public are not allowed to know who these people are. Why should we trust anything they say?" he asked.

The NAVC says the situation is getting worse for animals in laboratories, not better.

"For the first time ever in New Zealand we now have a private animal testing company that breeds beagle puppies for use in experiments. Hawkes Bay based company Valley Animal Research Center does toxicity testing for international customers and currently have nearly 200 beagles at two sites in Hawkes bay and Manawatu. They are planning to expand, building more labs and breeding more animals for research" said Mr Eden.

"This company advertises for business all over the world and is engaged in commercial animal testing for profit". The vivisection industry is expanding in New Zealand and the government is actively supporting this by promoting them at business expos around the world. It's an absolute lie for MAF to claim they are doing their best to reduce animal experiments".

ENDS

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