Institutional statement regarding animal testing

The University of Castilla-La Mancha has endorsed the Transparency agreement over the use of animal testing for science in Spain, stemming from the Conferences of Scientific Companies in Spain (COSCE) with the collaboration of the European Association for Animal Research. The grounds for the university´s attachment to this is that part of the scientific work carried out by the UCLM, in the areas of health sciences and experimental sciences, is done using animal testing in their studies.

The view at  this regional university is the welfare of animals used in testing is “fundamental” as is strict respect and compliance with the law in force regarding the protection of animals used in testing and for other scientific purposes, including teaching” At the same time it was stressed that one of its goals  was to be able “to reach the highest standards of animal welfare, not just from a moral responsibility point of view, but also because quality science cannot be achieved without animal welfare”.

The animal testing carried out by the UCLM complies with legal standards and is reviewed by an animal testing ethics committee which promotes use of alternative methods, a reduction in the number of animals used, and refinement of testing procedures. “No research project that requires using animals may begin without a mandatory ethical assessment and final authorization by the respective authority”.

The University of Castilla-La Mancha also ensures that, both the staff in charge of caring for the animals and the researchers involved in testing, have the necessary training and knowledge and are committed to providing the required resources for maintaining the test animals correctly as regards their facilities, maintenance, welfare and vetinary care.

On presenting this agreement, the COSCE stated that it wishes to establish communication lines between the scientific community and society regarding when, how and why animal testing is used and the benefits obtained from it. The agreement commits signee organizations, over 80 institutions, to share information transparently and to nurture communication about animal research to provide the public with all information about the reasons, methods and breakthroughs in knowledge that this creates and which justifies the use of animals in scientific research.