Press Releases

For Immediate Release: 25/02/10 – By: BUAV

BUAV welcomes guidance to reduce animal testing

The BUAV today welcomes the production by the UK's Health and Safety Executive of guidance on how to minimise animal testing under REACH.

The REACH legislation came into force on 1st June 2007 and is designed to ensure the safety of thousands of chemicals in our environment. Unfortunately, animal tests are still perceived to be the standard method of testing for chemical safety and it is now estimated that 75,000 chemicals may have to undergo new animal testing under the legislation, resulting in the suffering and death of between 16-54 million animals over the next ten years.

For Immediate Release: 19/11/09 – By: BUAV

Shock findings from UK undercover investigation shows inadequacies of proposals for EU animal experiment directive

The BUAV, the UK’s leading animal group campaigning to end animal experiments, is handing over a crucial dossier of evidence this week to the European Commission and key MEPs, Members of the Agricultural Committee. The shocking findings obtained during a major undercover investigation carried out in a UK animal laboratory highlight the inadequacies of the current proposals concerning the revision of European animal experiments rules, Directive 86/609/EEC. The BUAV is calling for these findings to be taken into account when the proposals are being considered by the Council of Ministers and the Parliament, under the Swedish Presidency.

For Immediate Release: 17/11/09 – By: BUAV

Animal experiments rise in Northern Ireland

The BUAV has expressed its concern following a worrying 15% increase in the number of animal experiments carried out in Northern Ireland. The newly available statistics show that in 2008, 17,875 experiments took place compared to 15,525 in 2007.There was a large increase in the number of mice (54% total of animals used) and cattle (13% total of animals used). In 2008, 9,229 mice, 1,198 rats, 3,121 domestic fowl, 2,047 cattle, 93 rabbits and 38 horses/donkeys were used. Of those experiments carried out, 77% were done with no anaesthetic.

For Immediate Release: 13/10/09 – By: BUAV

EU controversy over primate research continues with the publication of a new paper accusing the European Commission of producing a “deeply flawed and biased”

A paper released today in the journal Alternatives to Laboratory Animals (ATLA) accuses the European Commission of producing a scientifically flawed report on the use of nonhuman primates in research. The report is based on a recent inquiry conducted by the Scientific Committee on Health and Scientific Risks (SCHER), into the validity of primate research and the alternative methods that could replace it. This inquiry was in part a response to a written declaration signed by no fewer than 433 MEPs in 2007 calling on the Commission to bring forward proposals to replace primate use.

For Immediate Release: 27/08/09 – By: BUAV

Response to: “Chemical-safety costs uncertain”, Nature Magazine (26 August 2009)

The BUAV has reacted with shock and outrage to reports that toxicity testing required by the European Union under its REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) could result in up to 54 million animals being poisoned and killed.

For Immediate Release: 24/07/09 – By: BUAV

European Commission finally approves in vitro methods to replace cruel rabbit skin irritation test

The BUAV has welcomed the announcement by the European Commission of the adoption into EU regulation of an alternative to the cruel rabbit skin irritation test (Draize) test. This means that it is no longer permissible to use rabbits to test the irritation of chemicals. The ruling will have immediate positive implications for animals who would have otherwise been used to test chemicals under the new REACH legislation.

For Immediate Release: 21/07/09 – By: BUAV

Annual government statistics show shocking 14% rise in animal experiments

Highest amount of animal testing since 1982

Media release

For immediate release
Tuesday 21 July 2009

The (BUAV) British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection has strongly condemned the biggest year on year increase since 1987 in animal testing numbers. The figure for the number of procedures conducted on animals is now set at 3,656,080 million which is the highest it has been since 1982. Figures released today by the Home Office reveal that an astonishing 3,583,223 animals were used in tests in 2008, an increase of 14% on the previous year.

For Immediate Release: 20/07/09 – By: BUAV

Animal welfare groups oppose plans for primate research facility in Johor

London, 30th June 2009. Representatives from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) and the International Primate Protection League (IPPL) today hand delivered letters of protest to the High Commissioner of Malaysia in London. The animal welfare groups were responding to reports that Malaysia is in discussions with a number of animal testing companies, including an unnamed French company to set up a primate research facility in Johor using captive-bred long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) imported from nearby countries.

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