Animals Used in Research Cases

Urging Stronger Protections for Animals Used in Research

Submitted Comments to APHIS

The Animal Legal Defense Fund submitted comments to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service requesting it close regulatory loopholes leading to laboratory animals' intense and unnecessary suffering.

Animals Used in Research

Updated

July 9, 2015

Work Type

Regulation

Status

Closed

Next Step

Pushing for Stronger Protections for Animals in Research

In 2015, the Animal Legal Defense Fund submitted comments to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requesting that the agency close regulatory loopholes leading to laboratory animals’ intense and unnecessary suffering. We asked the agency to require research facilities to more fully explore and exhaust alternatives to animal testing, in line with Congress’s intent.

These comments were solicited by APHIS in response to a petition for rule-making filed by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The petition asked the agency to clarify and strengthen regulations implementing federal “Animal protections for animals used in laboratory experiments.

In our comments, the Animal Legal Defense Fund noted the long and persuasive legislative history showing Congress’s intent for animals used in laboratory research to be better protected in these ways under the Animal Welfare Act.

APHIS has thus far failed to act. The Animal Legal Defense Fund continues to push for stronger protection for animals used in laboratory experiments through regulatory and legislative change, public awareness campaigns, and lawsuits.

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