Reality of toxicity tests on animals exposed in new footage

New footage uncovered in a UK-based laboratory has exposed the harsh reality of toxicity tests on animals, required by EU law. The footage reveals animals such as rats, rabbits, dogs, pigs, and non-human primates being restrained and subjected to tests involving injections, inhalation, force-feeding, and skin exposure to potentially toxic substances. The animals endure immense suffering and fear during these tests, with some receiving doses up to 100 times what a human might be exposed to. Those that survive the tests are ultimately killed, highlighting the severe impact these procedures have on animal welfare.

While animal testing for cosmetics and detergents has been banned in the EU, toxicity tests for chemical safety assessments still require animal subjects. The EU has committed to transitioning to non-animal testing methods through a roadmap, but it is crucial for this transition to be timely, fully implementable, and supported by the necessary legislative changes, governance structure, and funding. Animal protection organizations are calling for an urgent acceleration towards animal-free testing methods to prevent further suffering inflicted on animals in these tests.