Government avoiding animal testing issue in Psychoactives Bill

The NZ Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) is appalled to learn that health select committee chair, Dr Paul Hutchison, has ruled that issues relating to animal testing are outside the scope of the Psychoactive Substances Bill. The testing regime for the recreational drugs covered by the Bill is to be set in the regulations made under the Bill. Drugs that meet the testing requirements will then be approved for sale.

NZAVS made a detailed submission to the health select committee asking that no data from animal experiments be used as a basis for providing approval for the sale of legal highs. The submission included information from toxicologists showing that there are many modern non-animal testing options available that should be used and a testing regime without the use of animals was possible and desirable.

NZAVS spokesperson Stephen Manson says “Peter Dunne was asked to rule out animal tests when we learnt of the proposal in October last year and the Bill was still being developed. We did this based on information and advice we obtained and passed on to him showing that animal tests are not the best tests modern science has to offer.” Copies of the advice received from international toxicology experts by NZAVS have been made available online at leaveanimalsout.org.nz along with copies of submissions sent to the select committee.

“Dunne refused to rule out the animal tests then and now we have the chair of the select committee saying animal testing is outside the scope of the Bill” said Mr Manson. “The possible dangers of these drugs are obvious and ensuring the best testing possible is done should be of the utmost importance. To rule that discussion of the testing methods is outside the scope of the Bill that is regulating them is bizarre.”

The ruling by Dr Hutchison to not consider any submissions on the use of animal tests was made despite a Horizon poll showing only 14.7% of New Zealand voters think the Bill should allow animal testing. The recent horizon poll also showed there is majority support among voters from all parties for the issue of animal testing to be dealt with by the Bill.

ends

© Scoop Media