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Texas County Passes Resolution Opposing Proposed Charles River Laboratories Primate Facility

Brazoria County, Texas, passed a resolution opposing Charles River Laboratories’ proposed facility to house non-human primates for use in research experiments. The resolution expresses concern “about the public’s health and safety, the animal welfare and pathogen introduction with the development of this facility” and “respectfully requests the Federal and State Government DO NOT issue Permits for this Facility located within Brazoria County.” The resolution passed with unanimous support from the Brazoria County Commissioners Court.

Canada Announces Strategy Development to End Toxicity Tests on Animals

The Government of Canada issued a notice of intent to develop a strategy aimed at replacing, reducing, or refining vertebrate animal testing under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). The strategy, aligned with recent amendments under Bill S-5, will guide Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada in incorporating alternative methods and strategies. The public is invited to provide input on the proposed strategy, with the goal of reducing reliance on animal testing by June 2025. Comments may be submitted to erhsdgeneral-dssergenerale@hc-sc.gc.ca by January 29th, 2024.

EU Court Decision Undermines Animal Testing Bans for Cosmetics

The European Court of Justice issued a ruling compelling German cosmetics manufacturer Symrise AG to conduct animal testing on sunscreen ingredients. The ruling prioritizes the testing requirements outlined in the EU’s main chemicals legislation, REACH, over the longstanding bans on animal testing for cosmetics in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Animal protection organization Cruelty Free International (CFI) condemns the decision, asserting that the bans were introduced before REACH and should take precedence. The testing requirements may involve over 5,500 animals.

Saskatchewan Expands Wildlife Monitoring Amid Bovine Tuberculosis Concerns

Saskatchewan has expanded its annual wildlife monitoring program for chronic wasting disease (CWD) to include bovine tuberculosis after recent cases were confirmed in a cattle herd in the east-central region. Bovine tuberculosis, caused by a bacterium similar to human tuberculosis, can affect cattle and spread to humans and other animals. The province, which has been monitoring CWD since 1997, urges hunters to submit heads from harvested deer, moose, and elk for testing until January 21st, 2024. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting ongoing investigations and tracing efforts to contain the outbreak, which has so far been limited to one herd.

China to Impose Ethics Reviews for Research Involving Humans, Animals, and Artificial Intelligence

China's central government has announced regulations mandating ethics reviews for research involving humans, animals, and artificial intelligence (AI). Effective from December 1st, 2023, the rules will require universities, hospitals, enterprises, and research institutions to conduct ethics assessments on seven specific types of research, such as brain-computer interfaces and AI systems shaping public opinion. These reviews, overseen by third-party experts, aim to standardize ethical practices and promote responsible innovation. Institutions engaged in sensitive research areas must establish ethics review committees, with the power to cancel projects deemed ethically problematic.

Bill to Ban Cosmetic Animal Testing Reintroduced in the United States

The Humane Cosmetics Act has been reintroduced in the United States House of Representatives with bipartisan backing from Representatives Don Beyer, Vern Buchanan, Tony Cárdenas, Ken Calvert, and Paul Tonko. The Act seeks to prohibit animal testing for cosmetic products within the US. If passed, it would make it illegal to sell or transport any cosmetic developed or manufactured using animal testing conducted after the provision is effective, which would be one year after its enactment. The legislation aligns with the growing demand for cruelty-free products, a sentiment endorsed by over 140 personal care companies. There are four exemptions, including animal testing required by foreign regulatory authorities outside the US.

Animal-Welfare Groups Urge Canada to Block Import of Cambodian Monkeys for Lab Use

Canadian animal-welfare organizations are calling on the country to follow the United States' lead in refusing the import of Cambodian monkeys for use in Canadian laboratories. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been denying permits for the import of Cambodian macaques after evidence of smuggling wild monkeys to the U.S. from Cambodia emerged. Concerns have risen that some of these monkeys could be illegally captured from the wild and then used in Canadian testing facilities. Canada has seen a significant increase in macaque imports, raising questions about their origin and ethical concerns.

Humane Cosmetics Act Would Ban Cosmetic Animal Testing and Sales of Cosmetics Tested on Animals

H.R. 5399, the “Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023,” would prohibit cosmetic testing on animals in the United States. It also would make it unlawful to “knowingly sell, offer for sale, or transport in interstate commerce . . . any cosmetic product that was developed or manufactured using cosmetic animal testing” conducted after the provision is effective, which would be one year after its enactment. The bill lists four exemptions, including cosmetic animal testing conducted outside the U.S. that is required by foreign regulatory authorities. The bill was introduced by Representative Don Beyer and four original cosponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Colombia Considers Ban on Research and Education Using Live Animals

Several pieces of legislation under consideration in Colombia would ban almost all science and education using live animals. Following backlash from scientists, one bill introduced in the Chamber of Representatives was revoked, but a second bill and a constitutional amendment are still active in the Senate. The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit live animal use in academic and scientific research, toxicity tests, and related studies when alternative methods are available or when animals of higher zoological significance can be utilized. Furthermore, it imposes restrictions on undergraduate students, allowing animal interaction only during their last two university years under supervision. The likelihood of the bill passing remains unclear.