We repeat call for all LPT facilities to be closed
LPT Mienenbüttel, the laboratory at the centre of our investigation with SOKO Tierschutz, was raided on Monday by police and local authorities. Two other LPT sites in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein were also investigated after a search warrant was issued by the district court.
A statement released by the local Harburg police indicates that the warrant was based on suspicions that vertebrate animals at the site in Mienenbüttel had been treated in ways which would contravene the German Animal Welfare Act and would, in principle, be punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to three years.
Dr Katy Taylor, our Director of Science, said: “We are delighted to see the authorities taking this action to hold LPT accountable. Such levels of cruelty and breaches of law are unacceptable. Every year, animals across Europe are deliberately poisoned in regulatory toxicity tests that can cause them terrible suffering. The evidence from our investigation has lifted the lid on the secrecy that continues to surround the use of animals in these outdated tests. A comprehensive review into the use of animals in regulatory toxicity testing throughout Europe, including the UK, is urgently needed. Every investigation, without fail, shows a similar tale of misery and frequent disregard of the law.”
Following reports that LPT Mienenbüttel is to close in February 2020, we are continuing to call for the closure of all animal testing facilities run by the company and are seeking an urgent review of toxicity testing throughout Europe. Cruelty of this nature cannot be allowed to take place in any laboratory.
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