After years of campaigning, the sentience of animals is now officially recognised in the Constitution of Belgium. The Constitution takes precedence in the hierarchy of Belgian legal norms, and now includes a reference to ensure the protection and well-being of animals.
After a lively debate in a plenary session of the Chamber of Representatives, including concerns raised by the agriculture sector, a critical two-thirds majority was ultimately reached to approve the addition.
Belgium is now the 6th EU Member State to include animals in its Constitution, following Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Austria. Other nations have also acted to enshrine constitutional animal sentience, including Switzerland, Egypt, Brazil and India.
The following passage has now been officially added to Article 7 of the country’s Constitution:
In the exercise of their respective powers, the Federal State, the Communities and the Regions ensure the protection and well-being of animals as sentient beings.
Animal sentience is also enshrined in law at EU level, as Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union mandates EU Member States to consider animal welfare as a significant commitment. Animals are recognised as sentient beings, acknowledging their capacity to experience pain and suffering, and emphasising the moral duty to treat them with care and respect.
As well as sending a strong message about the commitment of Belgium to protect animal welfare, the inclusion should also have a direct impact as regulations made by federal and regional parliaments, as well as local authorities, must comply with the Constitution. It could also have the impacy of strengthening enforcement of animal welfare laws.
This is a historic victory for GAIA and all those who defend animals’ interests. Only 30 years ago, such a breakthrough was simply unthinkable. Today, animal welfare is becoming a constitutional value in its own right, joining other fundamental principles. This recognition reflects a major change in society and highlights the growing importance of animal protection in our country. It is this kind of progress that GAIA has been fighting for since it was founded.
Today, 24th April, is the World Day for Lab Animals.
24 April 2024
Every year on 24 April, World Day for Animals in Laboratories serves as a stark reminder of the millions of animals used in scientific research around the globe. At present, we are faced with a critical decision: whether to perpetuate existing policies that neither incentivise the development and uptake of innovative non-animal technologies nor lead to significant reductions in the number of animals used for scientific purposes, or to implement coordinated and concrete policies and mechanisms that empower stakeholders to embrace non-animal technologies.
In response to growing calls from Members of the European Parliament, EU agencies, citizens, academia and industry for a transition towards more biologically-relevant non-animal approaches, the European Commission took action in 2023. It committed to develop a roadmapto phase out the use of animals for chemical safety assessment, and to explore the possibility of a European Research Area (ERA) action to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of non-animal approaches in biomedical research and testing of pharmaceuticals.
These two initiatives represent significant opportunities to establish the necessary policies and mechanisms at EU level to accelerate the transition to non-animal science. The roadmap will serve as a framework for coordinating concrete actions to move away from animal testing in the context of the EU chemicals legislation. In doing so, it will set a precedent for other policy areas that still rely on the use of animals.
An ERA action has the potential to foster increased collaboration and coordination between Member States, and to identify specific areas where animal use can be avoided and where investments should be directed to advance non-animal technologies. It can also improve access to essential infrastructure for non-animal research, and facilitate the development of harmonised education and training programmes. This will ensure that students, educators, researchers and regulators are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively advance innovative non-animal approaches to address scientific challenges.
Eurogroup for Animals and its member organisations call on all stakeholders, including policy makers, scientists, industry, regulators and funders, to join forces to develop and implement forward-looking policies and mechanisms in order to move towards a future where humans, animals and the environment are better protected.
Today, we also take the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the recent achievements of several of our member organisations in advancing human-based science:
LAV is currently involved in legal proceedings against a contract research organisation in Italy which carries out tests on animals, including dogs and non-human primates. Following complaints from LAV, the Italian authorities carried out an inspection which revealed numerous irregularities. As a result, the former director and veterinarian were charged with mistreatment and unnecessary killing. The authorities seized all the dogs and non-human primates.
Doctors Against Animal Experiments (DAAE) engaged with 800 political decision-makers to request the correct transposition of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes into German law. Furthermore, DAAE granted two Herbert Stiller Research Prizes to advance animal-free research.
The RSPCA ran an event with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) to discuss steps that the industry is taking to avoid, replace and reduce animal use, and opportunities for further progress. The RSPCA also launched their AWERB Directory, collating key resources to help institutional Animal Welfare (and Ethical Review) Bodies effectively challenge whether and how animals are used in research and testing. Furthermore, the RSPCA organised its third annual Focus on Fish event to share knowledge and ideas for reducing the suffering and improving the welfare of fishes used in science, as well as their fifth international meeting promoting practical approaches for avoiding and reducing ‘severe’ suffering.
GAIA contacted the Brussels and Walloon Ministers for Animal Welfare to encourage the establishment and implementation of an action plan to replace and reduce animal testing, similar to the Flemish Action Plan, in their respective regions. In its response, the Brussels Minister announced that a five-year strategy to reduce animal experimentation will be included in the Brussels Animal Welfare Code.
Djurens Rätt submitted 27,847 signatures to urge the Swedish government to reinstate dedicated funding for the Swedish 3R Centre.
Humanimal Trust published an updated edition of Humanimal, a children’s book focusing on the similarities between humans and animals. Moreover, Humanimal Trust also launched the First Global Creative Awards for children and young minds in order to captivate a broad audience with the concept of One Medicine via creative media, as well as online One Medicine Webinar series showcasing where collaboration between human and veterinary medical professionals can deliver better health for all species.
Menschen für Tierrechte (People for Animal Rights Germany, PARG) joined forces with the Berlin Greens to make “Animal-free Research Methods Development” a mandatory component of all relevant undergraduate courses offered at universities in Berlin. In addition, PARG also published an extensive University Guide that provides comprehensive information for studying life science subjects without the use of animals. PARG’s initiative “Exit from Animal Testing. NOW!” lead a government action plan and a commitment of two million euros for the development of a strategy aimed at reducing animal testing.
Animalfree Research launched a petition calling on the Swiss Parliament and the Federal Council to make a binding commitment and establish a concrete plan to gradually phase out harmful animal experiments, and take measures to systematically evaluate the benefits of state-funded research involving animal experiments and publish these results on a regular basis. Furthermore, Animalfree Research organised a forum on advancing personalised medicine with animal-free research.
25 animals, including dogs and primates, were rescued from a research facility in Verona where serious mistreatment of animals was discovered. The facility, which carries out animal testing on behalf of international pharmaceutical companies, is being charged with the neglect and unlawful killing of animals including beagles, marmosets and macaques.
The Court of Verona has brought forward charges against officials of the multinational pharmaceutical research company Aptuit, for the mistreatment and unnecessary killing of animals in the facility. The veterinarian and the company’s former president have been included in the register of suspects.
The prosecutors asserted that the company failed to comply with even the minimum criteria of animal management required by law, resulting in serious physical and psychological damage to the animals. These charges can lead to a fine of up to 30 000 € and imprisonment of up to 18 months.
Within this laboratory, thousands of dogs and monkeys were subject to injections, withdrawals and toxicity tests that lead to agonising deaths in deplorable conditions. The animals lacked fundamental necessities such as kennels, left on cold tile floors with no sunlight.
Due to the ongoing legal case, full details about the mistreatment are yet to be released.
A report released by LAV three years ago highlighted a shipment of several beagles to the Aptuit Company, which led to national demonstrations and demands for an official inspection. Following continuous pressure, 25 animals were rescued and appointed to LAV’s care after the Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered an inspection of the facility.
The 7 beagles are now cared for by competent staff in veterinary clinics. The primates, 7 macaques and 11 marmosets, have found refuge at the Animanatura Wild Sanctuary Rescue Centre in Semproniano, who are rehabilitating over 50 primates rescued from laboratories, aiding their recovery from years of physical and psychological trauma.
This seizure of animals from a laboratory represents the largest of its kind in Italy.
If these very serious irregularities were found in what is considered ‘excellence’ in pharmaceutical research, what is happening now, at this very moment, in the more than 500 Italian laboratories? We trust the authorities and hope that this is the beginning of a process that will discover what has been hidden until now.
Gianluca Felicetti, LAV
My wish is that for the time they have left to live, they can live in complete serenity, doing what they were born to do, which is simply to be animals.
Lorenza Zanaboni, LAV
LAV are calling for signatures of their petitionasking the Italian Minister of Universities and Research to finance non-animal methods, speeding up the transition away from animal testing.
In a move to update requirements for the appropriate accommodation, care, and killing of animals used for scientific purposes, the European Commission recently adopted a delegated directive with additional requirements for a number of species; but should more be done?
Article 50 of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes empowers the Commission to adapt the Annexes in order to ensure that they reflect technical and scientific progress.
At the time of adoption of the Directive, there was insufficient scientific evidence on the appropriate housing, care and killing methods for certain species, so species-specific requirements for these species were not included.
Since the adoption of the Directive, new scientific knowledge has become available on the welfare requirements of cephalopods, zebrafish and passerine birds used for scientific purposes, and on the killing of cephalopods and zebrafish in a manner causing least pain, suffering and distress. New scientific evidence has also emerged on the inappropriateness of using inert gases to kill rodents. In the light of this evidence, the Commission decided to revise the relevant Annexes (i.e. Annexes III and IV) to the Directive.
In early 2023, the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) was requested by the Commission to provide a scientific opinion in support of the revision of Annexes III and IV. A call for information was launched by SCHEER to invite all interested parties to submit scientific information on the specific questions on which SCHEER was asked to provide a scientific opinion. Eurogroup for Animals actively engaged with some of its member organisations to provide feedback. The scientific opinion was published in October 2023. Taking into account the opinion issued by SCHEER, the Commission drafted a Delegated directive and initiated a public consultation earlier this year, with Eurogroup for Animals contributing input to the draft. Subsequently, the Delegated directive concerning the revision of Annexes III and IV was officially adopted on 13 March 2024.
We welcome the efforts to establish new standards for cephalopods, zebra fish and passerine birds previously overlooked. However, we also express regret that the revision has missed the opportunity to update existing provisions for other species.
The Beagle Freedom Project is transforming a 30-acre property in Oklahoma that used to be an animal testing facility into Freedom Fields.
The Beagle Freedom Project shut down an animal testing facility in Oklahoma in February and purchased the property surrounding the lab
The animal welfare organization is planning to turn the 30-acre property into a sanctuary and adoption center for pets rescued from animal testing
Over 200 pets used in testing at the Oklahoma facility are now in the Beagle Freedom Project’s care and are looking for forever homes
Over 200 cats and dogs are getting a fresh start in a familiar place.
In February, Beagle Freedom Project (BFP)— an animal welfare organization dedicated to saving lab animals and ending animal testing —shut down a private facility in Nowata, Oklahoma, performing tests on cats and dogs for the flea and tick medicine industry.
Beagle Freedom Project took over the former lab’s 30-acre property and the more than 200 animals remaining on the premises. The organization is now transforming the property into Freedom Fields, a sanctuary and adoption center for the former lab animals at the facility and future pets rescued from animal testing.
For Shannon Keith, who founded the Beagle Freedom Project in 2010, Freedom Fields is a success story that was hard to imagine 13 years ago.
When Keith started BFP, “the status quo was that facilities would typically kill animals at the end of testing,” she tells PEOPLE. Through Beagle Freedom Project’s work, hundreds of lab animals slated to die have been rescued and adopted out to loving families. The organization has also passed its “signature legislation,” the Beagle Freedom Bill, in 13 states and is working on passing federal legislation.
“What that does is mandate the release of animals after the testing is over. So instead of killing them, they release them to organizations like ours, so they have a second chance at life,” Keith explains.
Keith, an animal rights attorney, doesn’t rely on legislation alone to save animals used in product testing. Each year, she writes a letter to every operational animal testing facility in the United States, asking them to release their animals to the Beagle Freedom Project.
While Keith says it’s “very rare” she gets a response, one of these letters led the Beagle Freedom Project to the property that will eventually become Freedom Fields.
“This facility in Oklahoma, the owner of it finally called me, and he said, ‘Hey, I got your letter. I actually got it a couple of years ago.’ And he said, ‘I ignored your letter,'” Keith says.
What changed the facility owner’s mind were citations from the USDA. The agency encouraged the owner to contact Beagle Freedom Project to surrender the dogs and help clear up some of the citations.
“To his credit, he called us, and we started working with him in 2021. And so, we started going there, and whenever he was done with dogs and cats, we would get them and adopt them out,” Keith shares.
This relationship allowed Keith to pitch shutting down the testing facility and purchasing the property to the owner when she felt the time was right.
“I suggested he close his business and that we purchase the land from him, not the business, but the land. It’s a beautiful 30 acres. We would turn it into a sanctuary, and he’d be done with it. And I literally thought that he would laugh me off the phone,” Keith recalls of the conversation.
To her surprise, the owner was ready to retire and agreed to the Beagle Freedom Project’s proposition.
“Part of our negotiations was that he would relinquish his USDA license and never test on animals again. We had no part in paying for the business; the business is over. We purchased the property and took all the animals he would release to our custody. So we got 200 plus dogs and cats. He agreed, and we officially took custody of everybody and the land on February 1st,” Keith explains.
After the sale, the Beagle Freedom Project started working on making Freedom Fields a reality. Currently, a BFP employee lives on the property with the former lab animals who have yet to be adopted.
The animals came into Beagle Freedom Project’s care with burns on their bodies and health issues from being exposed to the toxic substances used in testing for flea and tick prevention medicines — and they also came ready to be loved. Over 30 animals from the Oklahoma testing facility have already found forever homes, and more are still searching for their families.
“Our goal is to get all of them adopted out. In the meantime, they’re living there, and we are in the process of renovating and making it a beautiful place for them to live until they’re adopted,” Keith says.
Plans for turning the former testing facility into Freedom Fields include adding a rehabilitation center for animals recovering from the abuse they endured during testing and a senior center for the numerous aging pets rescued from animal testing.
“The majority of dogs used in testing were born there, so they’ve been there their whole lives, and they’ve got arthritis, cataracts, and all kinds of ailments. They need their teeth pulled. They’re in pain. So we’re building a senior center so they can have orthopedic beds, ramps, and heat, all kinds of comforts they should have until they’re adopted,” Keith details.
Freedom Fields won’t just be for pets. Keith says that BFP plans to add an education center to the sanctuary “where people can meet animal testing survivors, learn about animal testing, and learn how to take care of animals properly and be kind to animals.”
“It’s one thing to hear me blabber on about animal testing, but when you meet a survivor in person, and you look in their eyes, it’s something that really melts your heart and makes you want to do something impactful,” she adds.
Keith hopes that news of Freedom Fields inspires animal lovers to learn more about the grim reality of animal testing.
“I would just love people to know and be aware of the products that they’re using, not only for themselves but also for their beloved animals, who are family members,” she says.
To help with this goal, BFP has developed the free Cruelty Cutter app, which allows users to scan a product’s barcode and learn if animal testing was used to create the product.
Ministers have stepped in to tackle a scientific test which has been branded as “worthless cruelty”. The forced swim test sees animals placed in small jars of water and then left to swim until they are exhausted.
Some scientists have claimed it gives valuable insight into depression however animal rights campaigners have long fought for it to be banned saying it gives no valuable results. Animal rights charity Peta, on its website said it was “worthless cruelty”.
Now the Home Office has said it is to restrict the use of the test – and will seek to ban it completely. In 2022 the Home Office asked The Animals in Science Committee to investigate the test and after it drew up a list of recommendations the government has issued its response. In a letter Lord Sharpe of Epsom, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Home Office, said their advice was being accepted.
He said: “As the Minister responsible for the regulation of animals in science in Great Britain, I accept the committee’s recommendations. The Home Office will further restrict the use of the forced swim test, as recommended by the committee, and apply enhanced scrutiny to any proposal to use the forced swim test.
“I have requested the animals in science Regulator to implement the relevant recommendations to regulation through making changes to operational processes and guidance to applicants and regulated establishments, as appropriate. However, I intend to go further. I aim to completely eliminate the use of the forced swim test.
“This will require the validation of suitable appropriate alternatives. I have therefore written to the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to request that they consider what actions they can take to enable a complete ban on the use of the forced swim test in the near future. He added most actions would be in place by the end of March this year.
The move comes as measures were signed into law top ban people keeping primates – animals such as monkeys, apes and lemurs – as pets. The legislation brings in a licensing scheme setting strict rules to ensure that only private keepers who meet new welfare and licensing standards will be able to keep primates, delivering on a manifesto commitment and Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge to provide greater legal protection for pet primates.
The measures come into force from April 6, 2026 when all primates in England will need to be kept to these zoo-level standards – in effect banning the practice of keeping primates as pets. It is estimated that up to 5,000 primates are currently kept in domestic settings as pets in the UK.
These wild animals have complex welfare and social needs and, according to most experts, cannot be properly cared for in these environments. The new measures will improve the welfare of potentially thousands of these intelligent animals.
RSPCA Head of Public Affairs David Bowles said: “Meeting the needs of monkeys and other primates is practically impossible to do in a household, domestic environment. That’s why this legislation will be a really important moment for animal welfare – ensuring primates can only be kept in an appropriate environment, as we all strive to create a better world for every animal.
“Too often, our dedicated officers are called to properties where monkeys live in the wrong surroundings, eat totally inappropriate diets and are at risk of suffering behind closed doors. This new law has the potential to change that.”
Under the law all private primate keepers will be required to hold a licence, issued by their local authority, with failure to comply with licence conditions resulting in an unlimited fine or removal of the primate. Defra will work closely with local authorities to make sure that they have the appropriate tools and guidance to ensure that enforcement will be carried out effectively.
February 11 was International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a reminder that women play a critical role in science and that their participation should be strengthened. We are celebrating one of the women who help change science for the better by delivering humane science through the exploration of non-animal approaches; the winner of our grant to attend the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) summer school.
Martina Benedetti is a PhD student working in the pioneering laboratory for alternative methods in Argentina.
Can you tell us more about yourself and your journey as a PhD student?
Our primary mission in the research group is to pioneer the introduction of validated methodologies, a significant first for Argentina. This initiative aims to provide non-animal testing services to the local industry. Beyond that, our focus extends to the development of new methodologies and the refinement of strategies, all geared towards gradually replacing the reliance on animal testing that regulatory bodies still mandate. Of course, being part of a pioneering laboratory in my country has been challenging but also very rewarding. Overall, I think my journey is led by a strong desire to contribute to the advancement of humane and effective scientific practices in Argentina. So far, it has been a very fulfilling experience!
What are the main goals of your research?
My research focuses on modelling the eye using in vitro techniques to assess the reversibility of potential damage when the eye is exposed to a toxic substance.
More into detail, my project consists of designing a model to help replace animal use on ocular toxicity testing implementing stem cells as well as 3D culture. We are studying the cornea architecture and function in vitro to test different chemicals and evaluate the damage they produce on the organ and its potential damage reversibility. This is important because the available alternative methods do not allow documenting the reversibility of the damage, let alone the time necessary for such reversibility to occur, as required by the UN GHS classifications.
As a participant in the JRC Summer School, I gained valuable insights into in vitro methods and computational modelling that were new to me. The program allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of innovative techniques through expert presentations, which was very valuable for me as there are no scientific activities in Argentina that deal with these topics. The debate sessions were also very interesting for me, as we focused on real issues that are being discussed today by the experts in the field (In our case, we had to argue that setting an annual cap on the number of animals used for research is the best way to reduce the use of animals in science).
I should also mention that the visit to the EURL-ECVAM laboratories was great! It provided a practical dimension that allowed me to experience first-hand the application of the methods available. I am particularly grateful that the summer school also provided me with an excellent platform for exploring career paths and building a professional network, which enhanced my overall understanding and connections in the field.
What inspires you to use your scientific expertise to advance non-animal science?
My inspiration stems from a commitment to ethical research practices and a desire to contribute to more sustainable and humane scientific advances. Ethically, I am motivated to contribute to research practices that meet modern standards of compassion and responsibility. Scientifically, I am driven by the prospect of developing and implementing methods that not only eliminate the need for animal testing, but also provide more accurate and relevant results for humans. In addition, I think it is particularly motivating to make progress in this area in Argentina, as in my country we are taking the first steps towards researching non-animal methods, which of course motivates my work even more.
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, what message would you like to send to women who, like you, want to accelerate the transition to human-based, non-animal science?
I want to encourage and empower my fellow women. Let your passion for innovation guide you and bring your unique perspectives to the field. Seize the opportunities to collaborate, learn and lead, because our collective efforts can make a meaningful difference. I think we can all agree that advances in research should go hand in hand with compassion for all living beings. So, let’s strive together for ethical and sustainable scientific practices. Your commitment can make a significant contribution towards a more humane and effective scientific landscape.
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
Limited progress: revision of Annexes III and IV of Directive 2010/63/EU restricted to a few species
7 February 2024
On 4 January 2024, the European Commission launched a public consultation to update Annexes III and IV of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Eurogroup for Animals welcomes the efforts to include standards for the care and accommodation of animals and acceptable methods of killing for species previously overlooked. However, we regret that the revision missed the opportunity to update existing provisions for other species.
In October 2023, the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) issued an opinion in support of a revision of Annexes III and IV of Directive 2010/63/EU, with Eurogroup for Animals contributing input in response to a call for information. Considering this opinion, the Commission launched a public consultation to revise Annexes I and III to VIII to ensure that they reflect the state of technical and scientific progress.
We particularly welcome the newly introduced provisions addressing appropriate housing and care standards for cephalopods, zebrafish and passerine birds, as well as appropriate methods of killing cephalopods. We also applaud the prohibition of using inert gases for killing rodents, a position that we have been advocating for several years. However, the revision failed to seize the opportunity to amend the provisions in these two annexes for other species, despite our repeated calls for an update in the light of recent technical and scientific advances.
In our response, we commented on the newly introduced provisions, while also emphasising the need to update other aspects of Annexes III and IV. In brief, we recommended the following:
For the revision of Annex III of Directive 2010/63/EU on the care and accommodation of animals used for scientific purposes:
Water quality parameters specific to each stage of development for commonly used fish species (other than zebrafish) should be included.
The minimum cage height for rats should be increased to 30 cm.
Nursing rabbits should have a nesting box with an entrance that they can close to isolate themselves from their young in order to minimise stress and aggressive behaviour.
Dogs should always be provided with access to an outdoor run, unless there is a scientific or veterinary justification for not doing so.
The minimum time after birth that macaques are allowed to be separated from their mothers should be revised, to not less than 10-14 months.
For the revision of Annex IV of Directive 2010/63/EU on the killing methods of animals used for scientific purposes:
Confirmation of death by rigor mortis is not appropriate and should be removed.
Methods of killing zebrafish at stages <16 days post-fertilisation should be addressed. Based on the literature, we recommend that the use of a mixture of lidocaine hydrochloride, sodium bicarbonate and ethanol be included as a suitable method of killing.
Birds can experience severe distress and suffering when killed by CO2 and decapitation. These methods should therefore be deleted.
The use of a percussive blow to the head to stun fish can cause unnecessary suffering. Consequently, this method should be deleted.
Rodents killed by decapitation may experience conscious pain before the onset of insensibility. As a result, this method should be deleted.
World Animals Voice 