Senate e‑Petition : request for a parliamentary fact-finding mission

Who

Driven by Yoann Latouche, initiated by the Pro Anima Scientific Committee on the proposal of veterinarian André Ménache

Supported by major French animal protection and defense NGOs : la Fondation Brigitte Bardot, la Fondation 30 Millions d’Amis, L214, Welfarm, AVA, Antidote Europe, and the SNDA

What

France is among the three largest users of animals for scientific purposes in Europe. In 2019, as in 2021, 1.9 million animals were used in France in experiments.

The European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) 2021 “Review of non-animal models in biomedical research— Neurodegenerative Diseases” report states « a heavy reliance on animal testing may impede progress in some areas of disease research. »

Thus, in its resolution TA(2021)0387 adopted on 16 September 2021, the European Parliament considers that “the panoply of experimental models not using animals is expanding and shows that it is possible to improve our understanding diseases and to accelerate the discovery of effective treatments”, while also recognizing that “bureaucratic obstacles oppose the acceptance of these methods, their use is not properly enforced and funding for their development remains insufficient”

In France, there are no studies evaluating the use of non-animal methods, which would nevertheless allow mechanisms to be put in place to remove blockages to their acceptance, use and development.

Thus, at the end of 2022, via the Senate’s e‑petition mechanism, a joint petition was tabled to request a parliamentary fact-finding mission on the use of non-animal methods in research, regulation and education.

Key dates

• From November 31, 2022 to April 31, 2023