On World Day for Laboratory Animals this Wednesday, a coalition of animal rights groups from across Europe will deliver petitions containing half a million signatures to the European Commission in Brussels, in protest at new EU directives that see a huge rise in animal testing.

Forum Response: BUAV

Michelle Thew, chief executive of the BUAV, told ePolitix.com: "If left unchallenged, the Commission's plans will represent the biggest mass animal testing programme in Europe's history, causing immense suffering to animals whilst at the same time producing results that are neither reliable nor credible.

"Our petition is the result of campaigning across the European Union, demonstrating clearly the depth of public opinion on this issue; what is needed now is action to end toxicity testing on animals."