Animal testing: decline of previous years clearly continues Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) publishes figures for 2023
In Germany, 1.46 million vertebrates and cephalopods were used in animal experiments in 2023. This is 15.6 per cent fewer than in 2022, continuing the declining trend of previous years. This is according to the laboratory animal statistics. The figures are calculated and published annually by the BfR’s German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R). Rodents accounted for 80 per cent of the laboratory animals used (mice 73 per cent, rats 7 per cent). 11 per cent were fish, 4.6 per cent rabbits and 1.4 per cent birds. “The decline in animal experiments affects almost all areas, including basic and applied research,” says BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment President Professor Andreas Hensel. “Particularly noteworthy is a historic low in the number of severely harmful experiments.”
External Link:Link to the current animal testing statistics
59 per cent of the animals were used in basic research, 14 per cent in application-oriented (“translational”) research. The latter is primarily concerned with the development of new therapies and medicines. 17 per cent of the experiments were used for regulatory purposes such as quality control of medical products and safety testing of chemical substances. 6 per cent of the animals were used for the maintenance of genetically modified populations and 4 per cent for other purposes (education, training, environmental protection and preservation of species). In total, 270,000 fewer animals were used compared to the previous year.
Sharp decline in “surplus” laboratory animals
Since 2021, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has also published the number of animals that were bred for scientific purposes but not used for these purposes and then killed (“surplus” laboratory animals). This group comprised 1.37 million animals, almost 400,000 fewer than in the previous year (a decrease of 22 per cent). Primarily, these are mice and fish bred for the creation and maintenance of genetically modified laboratory animal lines.
Focus on cancer research
As in previous years, research into diseases focussed on cancer. Here, 39 per cent of the animals in applied research were used. In addition, 11 percent of the animals in basic research were used in projects investigating into the development of cancer. Other priority purposes were research on the immune and nervous systems and their diseases as well as infections.
Less stressful tests
Overall, the severity of the experiments was predominantly low (64 per cent). The proportion of animal experiments with moderate or severe harm to animals was 27.5 and 3.5 per cent respectively. In addition, 5 per cent of the experiments were carried out under general anaesthesia, from which the animals were not recovered.
Strict requirements under the Animal Welfare Act
The German Animal Welfare Act and the Animal Welfare Experimental Animal Ordinance lay down strict requirements for the authorisation, execution and monitoring of animal experiments. For example, they stipulate the purposes for which experiments may be carried out. When deciding on authorisation, it must always be checked whether the intended purpose cannot be achieved by other methods or procedures.
Authorisation and monitoring of animal experiments are the responsibility of the competent state authorities. They collect the figures on laboratory animals from users within their region and report them to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, which merges, analyses and forwards the data to the European Commission. This reporting obligation is based on the Directive 2010/63/EU. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has been publishing the figures on animal testing in Germany since the 2020 reporting year.
About the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) in Germany. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises the Federal Government and the States (‘Laender’) on questions of food, chemicals and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts independent research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.
About the Bf3R
The German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R) was founded in 2015 and is an integral part of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment). It coordinates nationwide activities with the aim of limiting animal experiments to the absolute minimum and ensuring the best possible protection for laboratory animals. It also aims to stimulate research activities worldwide and promote scientific dialogue.