More than 90,000 animals were used for testing in Irish laboratories in 2022, according to the latest figures from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). The study comes as animal rights groups continue to call for alternative ways to test medicines. In its annual report, the HPRA said mice were the most commonly used species for tests, at 72%, while rats, pigs, and sheep were also experimented on. The total number of uses of animals in testing overall was 92,939, while some animals were tested on more than once.
![Charles River’s plan for massive monkey prison Charles River’s plan for massive monkey prison](https://irishantivivisection.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/charles-river-primate-experiments.png)
Charles River’s plan for massive monkey prison
PETA has uncovered a scheme by Charles River Laboratories, the largest importer of monkeys used for laboratory experiments, to build the biggest monkey-holding facility in the history of the U.S., targeting 500 acres of ecologically sensitive land in Texas. The company is going ahead with the proposal despite the objections of local residents and representatives.
![93,000 animals used in experiments last year 93,000 animals used in experiments last year](https://irishantivivisection.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/irish-animal-stats.jpg)
93,000 animals used in experiments last year
Dogs, cats and rabbits were among almost 93,000 animals used for research and scientific experiments in Ireland last year, according to newly released figures. It represents a decrease of over 23 per cent compared to 2021. However, there was a notable rise in the number of dogs, cats, rabbits and horses used in lab tests last year. The most frequently used animals in 2022 were mice, around 50,000 of which are understood to have been used in lethal experiments intended to test the strength of cosmetic botox.
![2022 Statistical Report for Animal Experiments 2022 Statistical Report for Animal Experiments](https://irishantivivisection.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pig-experiments.jpg)
2022 Statistical Report for Animal Experiments
The IAVS condemns the grim toll of almost 93,000 animals in Irish vivisection labs during 2022. The figures only count experiments that are likely to cause the animals pain, distress, suffering and lasting harm. Almost all the animals die during or are killed after the tests, even when they could be rehomed.
![Animal testing for cosmetics continues to be permitted Animal testing for cosmetics continues to be permitted](https://irishantivivisection.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cosmetics-animal-testing-ban.jpg)
Animal testing for cosmetics continues to be permitted
The European Chemicals Agency ECHA demanded from the German company Symrise to perform additional animal experiments for the registration of two sunscreen ingredients. On November 22, 2023, the Court announced that Symrise had lost the case - the company is now forced to carry out the animal tests.
![IAVS calls for Government inquiry into RCSI IAVS calls for Government inquiry into RCSI](https://irishantivivisection.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RCSI-chinchilla-experiments.jpg)
IAVS calls for Government inquiry into RCSI
The IAVS has today called on the Irish Government to establish an inquiry into whether the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) should be banned from receiving EU research grants following the College’s animal cruelty breaches.
![RCSI evade EU animal welfare rules with US experiments RCSI evade EU animal welfare rules with US experiments](https://irishantivivisection.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RCSI-chinchilla-experiments.jpg)
RCSI evade EU animal welfare rules with US experiments
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland evaded EU animal welfare rules with lethal experiments on chinchillas at American University A Freedom of Information investigation by the...