U.S. AWA-Covered Animal Research Numbers Continue Downward Trend, According to Newly-Released 2015 Data

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has just released its most current statistics on the number of animals used for research, testing, teaching and experimentation by USDA licensees in 2015.

The 2015 Research Facility Annual Report revealed an 8% decrease in animal use compared to 2014. The total number of Animal Welfare Act (AWA)-covered animals used in experimentation and teaching in the U.S. last year was 767,622, compared to 834,453 in 2014. 

This is the lowest number of animals used on record.

The largest reduction (-24%) in animal use was observed in the “all other covered species” category, a catch-all group including AWA-covered animals not individually listed, followed by a reduction in hamsters (-19%), rabbits (-8%) and cats (-5%).

Unfortunately, the report also revealed an increase in usage of animals from many other categories. The largest increase was observed in non-human primate usage (+7%), followed by dogs (+3%), farm animals (+2%) and guinea pigs (+2%).

The report also revealed that approximately 58% of animals were used in procedures in which no pain was involved; 33% in painful procedures in which pain drugs were administered; and 9% in painful procedures in which pain drugs were not administered. This reflects a very similar pattern in animal use observed last year.

It is important to mention that these statistics omit animals that are not covered by the Animal Welfare Act—the great majority of animals used in research, including mice, rats, birds and fish, which are estimated to account for about 95% of animals used. Therefore, the actual number of animals used in research, testing and teaching is actually much higher than what has been reported.

Also, the new statistics offer an incomplete picture of animal use in this country as they fail to provide the public with answers to very basic questions, including how animals are being used in this country (i.e. the purpose of the research).  

In 2014, NAVS filed a petition for rulemaking asking APHIS to improve the quality of its annual reports to include more detailed information, including the specific purposes for which animals are being used in this country. APHIS solicited comments on our petition last year, and we are still awaiting their decision about whether or not they will amend their regulations to include this critical information.

We are encouraged to learn that the total number of AWA-covered animals used in research, testing and teaching has declined since last year and we appreciate that APHIS has made the most recent statistics publicly available. However, we are very disappointed to see that use of many categories of animals actually increased during this time frame.

NAVS will continue to insist that the U.S. become much more open, transparent and accountable about use of animals in research in our country, as such information is essential for our efforts to measure the implementation of the 3R’s–reduction, refinement and replacement of animal use–in research, teaching and testing.

Research Facility Annual Reports

June 2016

Each USDA-registered research facility is required by the Animal Welfare Act to submit an Annual Report (APHIS Form 7023) that documents its use of animals for research, testing, teaching and/or experimentation.

For more information see: APHIS