Decline in animal testing welcomed

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The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) says its pleased to see a drop in the number of animals used for testing and research.

In its annual report released today, the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) said the number of animals used for research, testing and teaching in 2013 was the lowest it had been in 17 years.

According to the report, 224,048 animals were used in 2013, a decrease of 25.9 per cent on 2012.

A drop in the number of animals being tested was always gratifying to see, said NAEAC chairwoman Virginia Williams.

She said the committee continued to promote the responsible use of animals and focused on the 'Three Rs'.

"That means replacing and reducing the numbers of animals used in experiments wherever possible, and refining experimental techniques and general husbandry to minimise or eliminate suffering," Dr Williams said.

"A significant aspect of our activity throughout the year involved supporting efforts to have the Three Rs embodied into practices that use animals."

Dr Williams said the committee spent the last year reviewing eight codes of ethical conduct and making submissions on the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill and the Psychoactive Substances Bill.

Dr Williams said the committee also regularly met the Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) and were waiting for results from a research project which looked into how AECs assessed protocols.

AECs, whose membership must include three independent nominees from the New Zealand Veterinary Association, the Royal New Zealand SPCA and from local or regional councils, approved any research, testing, or teaching involving live animals in New Zealand.