Animal-testing reforms need to be debated

New regulations governing animal experimentation are due before the Dáil.

The regulations relate to a complex new EU directive allowing countries wide discretion in enforcement. Although these will be the most significant reforms since 1876, the Irish Anti-Vivisection Society is concerned that these historic regulations have not been subject to adequate consultation and might not be debated before being enshrined in law.

Animal experimentation has risen to unprecedented levels in Ireland, with a 636% increase over the last five years, to 279,609 animals in 2010. Ireland now has one of the highest per capita rates in Europe of painful animal testing.