Historic Vote: Overwhelming Majority of European Parliament Votes Yes on Plan to End Animal Experiments

For Immediate Release:
September 16, 2021

Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382

In a monumental move for animals in European Union laboratories and for science worldwide, the European Parliament almost unanimously passed a resolution calling on the European Commission to create an action plan to end all experiments on animals – 667 members voted for the resolution, with just 4 four against. This groundbreaking move comes after PETA entities presented PETA’s Research Modernization Deal to members of the European Parliament (MEP) and after extensive lobbying by PETA entities and other animal protection organizations in Europe.

Specifically, the motion for a resolution calls for accelerating scientific innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing, and education. The MEPs have directed the European Commission to work with scientists, including PETA scientists in various disciplines, to secure a future without animal testing.

PETA’s Research Modernization Deal outlines the failure of studies on animals to lead to treatments and cures for humans and provides a comprehensive strategy to move away from the use of animals, beginning with ending animal use in areas of research where it’s known to fail.

“It is now in the hands of the European Commission to establish this EU-wide Action Plan, and we expect the Commission will make this a high-level priority,” says MEP Jytte Guteland. “Because if the Commission is serious about its commitments to EU citizens, it needs to start now the dialogue with all parties to effectively coordinate funding, education and milestones to accelerate the transition to non-animal science.”

“The European Parliament reviewed our evidence and took action to advance science and spare animals,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “The U.S. Congress must now follow suit and require implementation of PETA’s Research Modernization Deal or risk falling behind scientifically.”

PETA entities in the EU are now calling on the European Commission to act urgently on the will of the European Parliament and to use the Research Modernization Deal to deliver a Europe in which no animals are used in experiments.

For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.