Striking murals planted across the city are calling for the end of animal experiments.
Cruelty Free International, the leading organisation working to end animal experiments in the UK and worldwide, has “painted the town” with chalk art calling on the Labour Party to be “target zero heroes” and commit to accelerating the transition to animal-free testing and research.
The organisation prides itself on “working to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals”. Their dedicated team are experts in their fields, combining award-winning campaigning, political lobbying, scientific and legal expertise and corporate responsibility. Educating, challenging and inspiring others across the globe to respect and protect animals, they “investigate and expose the reality of life for animals” in laboratories, challenge decision-makers to make a positive difference for animals, and champion better science and cruelty-free living.
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In 20 separate prominent locations across Liverpool, to coincide with the Labour Party’s annual conference in the city, Cruelty Free International has called on the main opposition party to commit to “listening to public opinion and support a plan to actively replace animal experiments with modern, human-relevant science”. The murals can be found at locations such as Ranelagh Street, Liverpool Central Station, Seel Street, Paradise Street and Moorfields Station.
Kerry Postlewhite, director for government and regulatory affairs, said: “Any cruel animal test is one too many and we will continue to fight for zero animal experiments in the UK. The UK desperately needs a strategy to replace experiments on animals with modern non-animal methods that are better not only for the dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs who continue to suffer in laboratories but also for human health and the environment. It is appalling in this day and age that the number of animal experiments is not falling.
In the UK last year, statistics released by the Home Office revealed that over three million experiments were conducted on animals in 2021, an increase of 6% from the previous year. A petition launched by Cruelty Free International, Animal Free Research UK and OneKind in 2021 calling for a phase-out plan for animal testing in the UK reached over 100,000 signatures as part of their #TargetZero campaign.
The organisation has "long been calling" for the appointment of a government minister who would focus on leading and accelerating the transition away from animal experiments and be accountable for progress. This Minister for Animal-Free Science would coordinate work across the government to bring about the much-needed change.
Kerry added: “With this action in Liverpool, we are calling for the Labour Party to go into the next General Election committed to doing more to end animal experiments and to support the creation of a ministerial portfolio dedicated to making that happen.”
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