The state parliament of the Saarland region in Germany last week agreed that more needed to be done in the area to reduce and replace animal experiments and increase funding for non-animal science. In 2020, almost 25,000 animals were used in experiments in Saarland. 

Parliamentarians agreed that a dedicated co-ordination unit should be set up to help make the region a pioneer in animal-free science. 

The resolution follows the announcement, in November 2021, of a commitment in the programme of Germany’s new federal government, formed by the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats, to reduce animal testing and support animal-free research.  

Kerry Postlewhite, our Director of Public Affairs, said: “We welcome Saarland’s new resolution and see this as a positive model for the rest of Europe. We have been asking the European Commission to do the same at the EU level – establish a multidisciplinary taskforce to focus on bringing this cruel practice to an end and accelerate human relevant science.”  

If you’re an EU national, you can help us end animal testing across Europe by signing and sharing our European Citizens’ Initiative to End Animal Testing.