Taxpayer, we're still absolutely giddy over last week's massive win:
"EPA chief announces plan to eliminate reliance on animal research"
– Washington Examiner
In gratitude,
Noelle Callahan
Public Policy Manager
White Coat Waste Project
P.S. Taxpayer, now let's give the EPA-treatment to
the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA)! As I write this, the VA in Richmond is plotting to renew funds for the most painful dog tests the entire federal
government. And it's happening in just a few days! So Taxpayer, please follow this link to ask your
Member of Congress to cut-off the VA next.
EPA chief announces plan to
eliminate reliance on animal research
by Carlin Becker | September 10, 2019
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler directed his department to
phase out the use of animal research and allocated $4.25 million to advance research on alternative methods that can better predict potential hazards.
In a memo signed on Tuesday, Wheeler outlined the EPA's plan to reduce requests for and funding of mammal studies by
30% by 2025, and to eliminate such requests and funding by 2035. Any mammal studies requested or funded after 2035 will require administrator approval
on a case-by-case basis.
The EPA will work to replace animal
research with new approach methods (NAMs) that are found to be "equivalent or better than the animal tests replaced" and will "remain
fully protective of human health and the environment." The department will also award $4.25 million to five universities to research alternative
test methods and strategies.
"This is an effort that the agency will undertake over the next 16 years to improve the science we use for
scientific decision and eliminate the need for animals tests," Wheeler said at a press conference. "This is a longstanding personal belief
on my behalf."
The move was welcomed by several
lawmakers and animal welfare groups who have opposed the department's history of subjecting rodents, rabbits, and other mammals to taxpayer-funded
experiments, which have involved force feeding them lard and coconut oil, forcing them to breathe diesel exhaust, ozone and smog, as well as
electrocuting them before ultimately euthanizing them.
"Animal testing is often cruel and painful, with limited applicability to human health outcomes. Non-animal
research is more accurate, more cost effective, and more humane," Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said. "I commend the EPA for their decision, and
hope other departments and agencies will follow suit."
"I thank the EPA for recognizing
that we can protect animals and taxpayers by curbing the use of animals in research where scientifically-proven alternatives are readily
available," Rep. Ken Calvert of California added.
Justin Goodman, vice president of Advocacy and Public Policy at
taxpayer watchdog White Coat Waste Project, additionally applauded the initiative as the "most comprehensive and aggressive plan in U.S.
history" to cut waste and curb the use of and reliance on animal research.
Wheeler's announcement builds upon progress the department has been making under the Trump administration to reduce
its reliance on animal experiments, which has saved over 200,000 laboratory animals in recent years.
As the EPA moves to eliminate such research, several other federal agencies have also moved towards phasing out their
own animal experiments, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food
and Drug Administration.
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