On the occasion of the International Day for Laboratory Animals on April 24, 2026, the German Animal Welfare Federation (Deutscher Tierschutzbund) has renewed its call for a substantial increase in funding for animal-free scientific research and the initiation of a phased exit from animal testing in Germany. The organization emphasized that millions of animals continue to suffer and die annually in laboratory experiments or as so-called surplus animals bred for research but never used.
The federation highlighted the release of a new documentary film titled “Future Science” as a pivotal moment in raising public awareness about emerging alternatives to animal experimentation. According to the German Animal Welfare Federation, the film showcases innovative technologies developed by researchers that promise more precise and human-relevant results than traditional animal testing methods.
Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, stated that animal experiments are not only inefficient and costly but frequently fail to produce results applicable to humans. He stressed that transitioning to animal-free science aligns with Germany’s constitutional goal of animal protection and would strengthen the country’s position as a competitive and innovative hub for biomedical research and safety testing.
The federation urged the current German federal government to implement the reduction strategy for animal testing that was developed during the previous coalition government. Schröder noted that while the strategy has been completed, its implementation remains pending, despite repeated appeals from animal welfare and scientific groups.
According to data cited by the German Animal Welfare Federation, 1,327,931 animals were used in scientific experiments in Germany in the most recent reporting year. 626,538 animals were killed to harvest organs or tissues for research purposes, and 1,109,100 animals were bred as surplus stock and subsequently killed without being used in any procedure.
The organization maintains that although the numbers have shown a slight downward trend in recent years, the overall scale of animal use in research remains a serious concern requiring coordinated action across societal, scientific, and legislative levels. It advocates for increased investment in alternative methods such as organ-on-a-chip technology, computer modeling, and human cell-based assays.
The International Day for Laboratory Animals, observed annually on April 24, serves as a global platform to reflect on the ethical and scientific implications of animal use in research and to promote the advancement of humane alternatives. The day was established to encourage dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and the public on reducing and ultimately replacing animal experiments wherever possible.
As of the latest available information, no official date has been announced for the implementation of the national reduction strategy on animal testing in Germany. Stakeholders continue to await concrete steps from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) to move the strategy forward.
For ongoing updates on policy developments related to animal testing alternatives in Germany, readers are encouraged to consult official publications from the German Animal Welfare Federation and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
What are your thoughts on the future of animal-free research? Share your perspective in the comments below and help spread awareness by sharing this article with your network.