EU Statistics

The latest figures available for animal experiments in the EU are for 2008, in which just over 12 million animals were used.

The numbers reported are lower than national figures because countries do not have to report certain types of experiments such as those involving genetically modified (GM) animals.

The 27 countries in the EU reported that in 2008 they used:

• 21,315 dogs
• 333, 213 rabbits
• 754,485 birds
• 9,569 monkeys

The main users are France, UK and Germany - they use around 55% of the total number of animals.

56% of the ‘old world’ monkeys (such a macaques) used in experiments are still being imported into the EU.

Compared with the last set of statistics reported in the EU (for 2005), the number of animals used significantly increased in:

• Spain (up 51%)
• Estonia (up 610%)
• Ireland (up 197%)
• Austria (up 32%)
• Portugal (up 22%)

Source: European Commission (2010) Sixth Report on the Statistics on the Number of Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes in the Member States of the European Union

International Statistics

Recent research by the BUAV and the Dr Hadwen Trust suggests between 82 and 154 million vertebrate animals (115 million on average) are used in testing worldwide each year.

79% of countries do not appear to publish the numbers of animals used in experiments. Based on our research we estimate that the 10 countries using the most animals in experiments are:

• United States
• Japan
• China
• Australia
• France
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Taiwan
• Brazil

Source: Taylor, K et al. 2008. Estimates of worldwide laboratory animal use in 2005. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 36, 327–342.

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