Still in the dark about animal research!

Auckland Animal Action (AAA) is calling into question the results of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Annual Report (released today) on the numbers of animals used in research, testing and teaching.

"The report states that an average of 273, 000 animals were used in research, testing and teaching in 2005 and, most alarmingly, that the number of animals subjected to severe and very severe suffering actually increased from approximately 12, 000 in 2004 to approximately 16, 500.

This significant increase causes us to be extremely concerned about the animal suffering involved in such experiments. The NAEAC also state in their report that 40% of animals used in research, testing and teaching either died or were euthanased. All of these statistics shroud the true nature of these animal experiments under a veil of secrecy,” says AAA spokesperson Deirdre Sims.

"The NAEAC says that all animal experimentation is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 1999. We feel that this is a misleading statement as Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 clearly exempts animal research from Parts 1 and 2 of the Act. These parts of the Act encompass the Five Freedoms and the obligations of the owners or persons in charge of animals to provide animals with these freedoms.

This means that animals used in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand have no legal right to proper and sufficient food and water; adequate shelter; the opportunity to display normal patterns of behaviour; appropriate physical handling; and protection from, and rapid diagnosis of, injury and disease. This is appalling and unacceptable!” says Ms. Sims.

Auckland Animal Action demands that the NAEAC provide the New Zealand public with a full explanation of the details of this taxpayer funded animal torture. The public has a right to know why and how their money is funding severe and very severe animal suffering and death. Animal research has historically been hidden from the public behind closed doors. If the NAEAC and the animal experimenters have nothing to hide, why is New Zealand still in the dark?

For further comment, contact Auckland Animal Action spokesperson Deirdre Sims on 021 175 1399 or email aucklandanimalaction@yahoo.com

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