Science Europe Calls for Caution in Discussing Phasing Out of the Use of Animals in Research

By 25 January 2023, a European Citizens' Initiative calling on the European Union to put forward a legislative proposal for a roadmap to phase out all animal testing in the EU, received support from 1.2 million citizens from 22 countries.

Science Europe supports the highest possible welfare and ethical standards for using animals in research. This includes implementing the 3Rs (refinement, replacement, and reduction) as embedded in the current legislation (Directive 2010/63/EU).

Science Europe joins the scientific community in calling for caution and nuance in approaching the issue of phasing out the use of animals in research. Specifically, it joins two recent statements, by LERU and EU-Life and by AVIESAN and ZonMw.