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Bill Would Prohibit Taxpayer Funded Animal Experiments in Certain Foreign Countries

S. 2716, the “Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act” would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to support vertebrate animal experiments in certain foreign countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

DOJ Seeks Permanent Restraining Order Against Animal Drug Company that Has Been Selling Drugs Without FDA Approval

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona alleging that AniCell Biotech LLC and its CEO, Brandon Ames, have violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by manufacturing and distributing new animal drugs that lack federal Food and Drug Administration approval and are thus unsafe and adulterated. The products at issue include injectable and intravenous liquids derived from the amniotic tissue of horses and have been marketed by defendants to treat diseases such as osteoarthritis and renal failure. The DOJ is requesting that the court permanently restrain and enjoin the defendants.

Procter & Gamble Publishes Update on Efforts to End Animal Testing Globally

Procter & Gamble (P&G) recently published an update on its global effort to end animal testing, calling for “change and paradigm shifts in global ingredient regulations needed to unleash animal free safety science.” P&G, which no longer tests on animals unless mandated by government regulations, also published a peer-reviewed paper in May 2022 as “a map to the road ahead to end animal testing in safety assessments and how to get those adopted in global safety regulations.” P&G’s update noted its sponsorship of the 12th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences being held in Canada from August 27–31, 2023.

University of British Columbia Announces Raccoon Intelligence Study

Researchers from the University of British Columbia are requesting assistance from Vancouver residents in their study of raccoon intelligence. The Urban Wildlife Project aims to set up “humane traps” in backyards, microchip sedated raccoons, and offer them puzzles to solve. The study will focus on memory, learning, self-control, and other cognitive skills. The goal is to understand raccoons' behaviour, promote coexistence with urban wildlife, and assess their adaptability. The researchers will also test skills like spatial memory, reversal learning, and inhibitory control, all related to tasks relevant to their urban environment.

Italy Proposes Ban on Cultivated Meat and Meat-Labeled Plant Proteins to EU Commission

Italy has introduced draft legislation to the European Commission, seeking to ban cultivated meat and plant-based proteins labeled as meat. Citing concerns for health and cultural heritage, the legislation aims to prohibit using food produced from cell cultures or vertebrate animal tissues. The draft also seeks to prohibit processed products containing exclusively vegetable proteins from being labeled with certain “meat-related” terms. Violators could face fines and other administrative actions. The European Commission will review the draft, and other EU Member States can provide their opinions on the matter.

Federal Court Denies NIH Motion to Dismiss Case Challenging Alleged Loophole in Animal Care Guidelines for Foreign Research Grant Recipients

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied a motion to dismiss filed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in litigation brought by the White Coat Waste Project (WCW) alleging that the National Institutes of Health has violated the Public Health Services Act by exempting foreign grant recipients from certain guidelines relating to the care of animals used in research. The Court found that WCW has “adequately established that it has organizational standing and that its interests arguably fall within the zone of interests protected by the statute.” Advancing Law for Animals is representing WCW in the lawsuit.

NIH Announces Upcoming Public Meetings of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods

The National Institutes of Health announced upcoming meetings of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM), a federally chartered external advisory group of scientists, including representatives from regulated industries and animal protection organizations. SACATM advises on statutorily mandated duties of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods and activities of the National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods. The meetings are open to the public and will be held in person and virtually on September 21 and 22, 2023.

Oregon Prohibits the Sales of Cosmetics that Have Been Tested on Animals

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 3213, which, with limited exceptions, prohibits the sales of cosmetics that have been “developed or manufactured using cosmetic animal tests conducted or contracted for by the manufacturer or any supplier of the manufacturer” after January 1, 2024. Violators are subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 for the first day of a violation and up to $1,000 for each subsequent day.

Manitoba Government Adopts New Regulations Related to Testing for Chronic Wasting Disease Ahead of 2023 Hunting Season

The Manitoba government has announced new amendments to the Wildlife Protection Regulation regarding the mandatory sampling requirements for chronic wasting disease (CWD), an incurable and fatal disease that affects members of the deer family including mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Licensed hunters in affected areas are required to test harvested animals. The amendments now permit hunters to provide testable tissue samples instead of the animal’s whole head. Additionally, the mandatory sample submission period has been extended to seven days, allowing hunters more time to extract samples. These changes seek to improve efficiency and response in dealing with CWD during peak hunting season.

European Commission Responds to European Citizens’ Initiative to End Animal Testing

The European Commission has responded to a European Citizens' Initiative calling on the Commission to uphold and strengthen its ban on cosmetic animal testing. The response provides a comprehensive overview of the European Union's legislative and policy framework on animal testing and suggests additional measures to decrease such practices. The proposed actions include bolstering the cosmetics animal testing ban, working on a roadmap for animal-free chemical safety assessments, and supporting the development of alternative methods with funding. The Commission also aims to accelerate the reduction of animal testing in research, education, and training through various initiatives, including coordination among Member States and workshops for early career scientists.