EDM 4 'Use of Animals to test Food Additives'
EDM 4 has been tabled in response to new figures
that show an increase in over 350 per cent of the numbers of animals
used to test food additives. It has been tabled by Bob Russell
MP in association with the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.
The Government's official statistics for 2006 [1],
the most recent year available, show that 4,038 animals were used
to test food additives such as stabilisers, sweeteners and colorants [2] -
a staggering increase of 368.4 per cent on the previous year.
Rats and mice were used in these tests but they can nonetheless
cause significant suffering. Animals are frequently given the supplement
in question in high doses by gavage - a tube pushed down their
throats. Animals may become ill, with diarrhoea, stomach cramps,
and depression and may even die. All animals are killed afterwards
so that their bodies can be examined.
Nowhere is the collusion between government and those involved
in the abuse of animals more obvious than in the case of vivisection.
Over the past year the Home Office has worked exclusively with
companies involved in animal testing to strip away regulations
and make vivisectors' jobs easier.
The statistics also reveal a 30.2 per cent rise in the number
of animals used for testing "other foodstuffs" - from
5,742 in 2005 to 7,447 in 2006.
The EDM calls on the Government to stop granting licences for
tests for food additives and foodstuffs. The full text reads:
"That this House notes that the Home Office's
Statistics for Scientific Procedures on Living Animals for 2006
recorded a 368.4 per cent. rise in the number of animals used
to test food additives, from 862 animals in 2005 to 4,038 animals
in 2006; is concerned at the Written Answer of 11th October 2007
that states that these animals are being used to test ingredients
such as stabilisers, sweeteners, colorants and flavouring agents;
further notes that the 2006 statistics also recorded a 30.2 per
cent. rise in the number of animals used for the purposes of
other foodstuffs, from 5,742 animals in 2005 to 7,477 animals
in 2006; and calls on the Government to back the British Union
for the Abolition of Vivisection's call to stop granting licences
for experiments on animals for the purpose of testing food additives
and other foodstuffs as a matter of urgency." Click here to lobby your MP on EDM
4 now! |
