232,000 animals used in Irish lab experiments in 2012

More than 230,000 animals were used for experimentation in Irish laboratories in 2012 — more than six times the number used in 2005.

Figures released by the Department of Health show 232,285 animals were used for experimentation in 2012 — a fall of 32,679 compared with 2011.

However, the figure is still substantially higher than previous years. Just 38,000 were used in live experiments in 2005, rising to 64,378 in 2007.