Our job is to tell the world about the reality of animal testing. Through undercover investigations, political lobbying, the promotion of cruelty free products, legal and scientific expertise and media activities, the BUAV works tirelessly to make the world a better place for animals.
We work lawfully and professionally, building relationships with influential people like MP's, MEP's and corporate decision-makers. We also analyse legislation and sit on decision-making panels in the UK, EU and OECD countries, to act as the voice for laboratory animals. We are determined in our fight to achieve lasting change in legislation, to make a tangible and long-term difference for these animals.
Policy Work:
Some of our current campaigns include:
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Go Cruelty Free
Many people are unaware that hundreds of thousands of animals across the world still endure painful experiments to test cosmetics and household products. This campaign aims to drive animal testing out of the cosmetics and household products industries altogether.
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Next of Kin
Our Next of Kin campaign calls for a UK and EU ban on the use of primates in experiments. Not only does experimentation cause primates - including baboons and macaques - pain, suffering and distress, but non-human primates make crude models for human conditions. We believe that primate experiments are outdated, wasteful and often misleading.
We are working hard to secure a complete ban on primate experiments within the current revision of 'European Directive 86/609', which governs animal experimentation across Europe.
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Chemicals
Each year, millions of animals across Europe are poisoned in toxicity tests to examine the safety of chemicals. The tests — causing chronic suffering — include dripping substances into animals' eyes, rubbing substances on their skin and force-feeding. These tests are scientifically unreliable and can be replaced with humane and effective non-animal alternatives.
Millions of Animals Spared from Toxicity Testing
For five years the BUAV campaigned on the proposal for the REACH (Regulation, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) legislation. When REACH was first proposed it was thought that around 45 million animals would be killed in outdated toxicity experiments.
Thanks to persistent campaigning by the BUAV and other animal protection organisations, we are relieved to report that the European institutions have made significant and positive efforts to reduce the scale of animal suffering.
The next steps
While the REACH legislation is now finalised there is still much work to be done. Over the coming decade there will be countless opportunities to remove more painful animal tests from the REACH legislation, and the BUAV will be there to ensure this happens.
Investigations:
The propaganda put out by the Home Office and the animal research industry claims that laboratory animals in the UK are well cared for by competent, trained individuals and effectively overseen by experienced Home Office inspectors and vets. Through placing undercover workers within UK laboratories and animal supply companies, the BUAV is able to dispel this myth.
Reports:
Our highly skilled Policy team is dedicated to researching the vivisection industry to identify exactly what and where procedures are carried out. Their findings are collated to produce authoritative scientific reports to influence the scientific community and media. We are committed to distributing accurate and verifiable information.
Learn more about:
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