Scientific tests were carried out on more than 50,000 animals in the Brussels-Capital Region last year, according to new figures from the Brussels Environment Agency, made public by non-profit organisation SEA (Suppression des Expériences sur l'Animal).
A total of 50,922 animals were used for testing. These were mainly mice, guinea pigs, zebrafish and rats. Tests were also conducted on pigs, sheep, chickens and frogs.
Fundamental research (69.8%) was the main reason for the tests. Experiments that caused great suffering and could result in death were carried out on 9,831 animals – slightly less than the 10,314 in 2022.
SEA also denounced the deaths of more than 94,000 animals that were bred for scientific purposes, but were killed or died before they could be used. The number fell compared to last year (133,963 in 2022).
As only one in three experimental laboratories was inspected last year, SEA also called for more regular and unannounced inspections.
