Almost three quarters (72%) of EU citizens think Europe should set targets and deadlines to phase out animal testing, according to our new poll.

In the poll, carried out by Savanta ComRes in June, 70% of adults across 12 EU member states agree that replacing animal tests with non-animal methods should be an EU priority.

The poll revealed:

• At least three quarters of EU adults in Portugal (85%), Croatia (84%), Poland (80%), Romania (80%), Italy (79%), Germany (76%) and France (75%) agree the EU should invest more in alternative methods to animal testing.
• 76% of adults in EU member states agree animal tests for household cleaning products should be banned in the EU.
• 74% agree that animal tests for cosmetics and ingredients are unacceptable in all circumstances.
• 66% agree that the EU should immediately end all animal tests.

With the EU promoting investment in sustainable research and innovation as a key element of building back better after the COVID-19 crisis, we urge leaders to include in this recovery strategy a comprehensive plan to end reliance on outdated and unreliable animal research.

We want funding for human-relevant and humane science to make the EU the world-leading powerhouse for animal-free research.

Dr Katy Taylor, our Director of Science, says: “The EU must create a framework to incentivise new and modern non-animal approaches that prove meaningful for the protection of citizens and the environment and foster innovation and growth.

“The results of our poll show the EU public is ready for animal tests to become a thing of the past. Now it’s up to leaders to listen and put in place a plan that will end cruel and unnecessary suffering of animals in European laboratories once and for all.”