ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE
The animal welfare organizations Doctors Against Animal Experiments, the German Animal Welfare Federation, People for Animal Rights and PETA Germany criticize the “traffic light” government, which has not completed the reduction strategy on animal experiments promised in the coalition agreement. In view of the state objective of animal protection in the German constitution, it is now up to the new federal government to continue the strategy - also in order to make Germany fit for the future as a research and business location.
“Former Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir failed to complete the development of the reduction strategy for animal experiments promised in the coalition agreement with the traffic light coalition during his term of office and to ensure the continuation of the measures. The parties involved from science, industry and animal welfare had invested considerable capacities in the conception of a strategy”, according to the criticism of the animal welfare organizations. “The draft presented has the potential to advance animal welfare and establish the necessary measures to strengthen Germany as a location for innovation and a modern economy. We see the fact that the planned publication of the strategy at the end of April is off the table as a setback for animal welfare and the millions of animals that suffer and die in experiments every year, but also for Germany as a research location.”
How the reduction strategy continues is now up to the new federal government made up of the CDU, CSU and SPD. “The new coalition should not undo the intensive efforts of all those involved to date. It must continue the reduction strategy and use the opportunity to establish Germany as a pioneer in animal-free methods,” said the organizations. Additional funding for animal-free methods such as cell, organ and tissue cultures, biochip technologies and computer-based procedures not only provides valuable tools, but can also contribute to improving the applicability of research results, for example in the development of therapeutic options by industry.”
Note to editors: In its “Guide to Animal-Free Science”, the German Animal Welfare Association highlights the diversity and possibilities of animal-free methods. Researchers who are committed to animal-free science and have developed alternative methods or are working with them also have their say. You can download the “Guide to animal-free science” here: www.tierschutzbund.de/wegweiser-tierversuchsfreie-wissenschaft
