Reform - around the world...

Ireland is the first country to give trade union backing for abolition of vivisection: In 1985 the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union in Ireland (covering North and South) called in for a ban on animal research, as did also all local Councils in the Republic through the municipal authorities.

At their Annual Conference in Belfast, from 1-4 July 1986 the Irish Congress of Trade Unions endorsed the following motion (proposed by Mr E. O'Doherty of the Carrick-on-Suir Council of Trade Unions):-

"Vivisection: conference totally opposes the use of live animals in research and seeks the support of the executive council in calling on the government to introduce legislation to outlaw vivisection."

Prior to Mr O'Doherty moving the motion, the delegates were shown the film "Hidden Crimes" which clearly demonstrates the human suffering resulting from animal research the delegates were reported to be "deeply moved and shocked".

Attempts were made by two unions to prevent its success, one proposing an amendment for partial abolition and the other proposing that the Resolution be referred back to the EC both proposals were defeated and the resolution was put to the vote and endorsed by Conference.

In addition: The organisation "Stop animal experiments (Ireland)" has achieved to date over 25,000 signatures on a petition to totally abolish all vivisection in Ireland.

The state of California, USA

"Animal research is a scientific mistake and a social affliction. Only those who hope to profit from it financially or to further their careers support this barbaric practice."

The above is part of the preamble to a Petition to Abolish All Animal Experimentation in the State of California. The Petition also reveals the following information:

"Despite the fact that the U.S. spends over $355 billion on health care each year, it ranks 35th in the world in male life expectancy, 16th in female life expectancy, 15th in infant mortality. Despite billions of dollars spent on animal research the three major diseases in the U.S... cancer, heart disease and diabetes - have continued to increase. Birth defects have tripled in the last 25 years."

Switzerland

In November 1985, 5000 abolitionists converged for a rally in the city of Basle. On 1 December a referendum for the total abolition of vivisection (on medical and scientific grounds) took place. In spite of massive opposition from the multi-national pharmaceutical giants half a million people (out of a population of 3 million) voted for total abolition. A future initiative is currently being prepared - to be launched by Hans Ruesch, NZAVS Patron, author of Slaughter of the Innocent, Naked Empress... giant of the abolitionists movement - to whom the video "Hidden Crimes" is dedicated.

Italy

In November 1984 a breakthrough of historic significance took place in Italy

Having already spoken about vivisection several times in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and in the Italian Parliament, the Socialist Filippo Fiandrotti, using facts from "Slaughter of the Innocent" proposed on 16 November 1984 a motion for total abolition of vivisection. The motion was voted on with 600 MPs present and the following was front page news the next day... in "Corriere della Sera"

"Parliament votes against vivisection"

"By a two-stage vote (first by show of hands and then by electronic counting) the Chamber voted in favour of a motion for the abolition of vivisection. Those present voted by a majority of 60 in favour of the motion tabled by Socialist Filippo Fiandrotti and obtained the promise from the Government to suspend vivisection for the three years 1985 to 1987, and to make available for other research projects funds which had been earmarked for animal experimentation."

"Even if this promise is a political one (there is no obligation on the part of the government to fulfil it) the decision is of great importance as it was arrived at by a free vote. Many MPs of the majority party voted in favour of abolition on grounds of conscience, although the Government had declared itself to be against the motion."

Hans Ruesch comments:

"Even if it cannot yet be said that at least in one country vivisection has been finally abolished, this decision is of historic significance and certainly represents an exemplary lead for other countries."

Germany

NZAVS has been informed that a German anti-vivisectionist scientist who specialises in events at Strasbourg that the European Parliament voted in mid-September 1986 for a Common Market Directive to be issued that would reduce animal experiments in all the member countries - by 20% per year ending in total abolition by 1991. It is expected that the "provivisection" lobby will fight against it... but it is reported as a sensational development.

"Hidden Crimes" was shown at the Hesse Parliament in Wiesbaden.

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