European governments and industry plan to reduce animal testing and develop better alternatives. On 7 November, the European Commission (EC) and leading industry associations agreed to cut the number of animals used for basic research, toxicology, and quality control of health products from 11 million a year to 9 million by 2007.
Although lean on specifics, the agreement should also help coordinate research activities to develop animal-friendly methods, such as cell cultures and computer modeling. The parties will work together to facilitate the official validation of methods and ease the regulatory acceptance process. "We have never before had the opportunity to work together in such an integrated manner," says Alain Perroy of the European Chemical Industry Council.
The EC has promised to add an unspecified amount to the $16 million it already spends each year on alternative testing methods.
