Born in France, 1,600 beagles on borrowed time risk hell in Italian laboratories

A ban deliberately circumvented with the help of Marshall BioResources

Following the adoption of the directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, Italy has introduced more protective mechanisms. For example, since 2014, it has banned the breeding of dogs, cats and primates for experimentation by decree. However, this text does not apply to imports, creating a legal loophole that has been exploited by the industry.

As a result, Italy is sourcing their animals from France… France, one of the leading users in Europe, welcomes the breeding facilities of the American giant Marshall BioResources (MBR) with open arms in Gannat and Mézilles.

One Voice has long fought against these places where beagles and golden retrievers grow up on cold tiles without any affection. Naturally docile and raised from an early age to accept anything, no matter what is inflicted on them: wearing a gas mask and being subjected to smoke, being injected, ingesting toxic substances…

Once their preparation is complete, they leave the cages where the law of the strongest prevails, to join those of the laboratories. There, they will die alone, under the worst tortures, in the name of a science that refuses to evolve.

Although this practice remains unacceptable to 85% of French people (Ipsos/One Voice survey, 2023), MBR is preparing to sell 1,600 new dogs to the multinational company Aptuit, part of the Evotech group, where they will endure years of testing and suffering before being put to death.

The pharmaceutical company Aptuit has already been convicted of mistreatment

Our Italian partner, LAV, part of the ECEAE and Cruelty Free Europe coalitions, has been working for years to close the multinational company Aptuit down. In 2021, their complaint led to the largest seizure of animals ever carried out in a laboratory in the country, where their conditions of detention were absolutely unacceptable. The investigation revealed serious violations: beagles and primates kept in cages for months or even years, without adequate veterinary care, and subjected to experiments causing severe levels of pain.

We cannot remain silent while 1,600 new beagles are destined for the same hell. We must act to prevent them from being sent there!

Support the petition (in Italian) calling for:

• The immediate release of the animals already present at Aptuit.
• A permanent ban on the arrival and use of these 1,600 animals.
• A review of the legal loophole that allows the importation of animals for experimental purposes.
• A clear and binding commitment to support alternative methods.
• The creation of an institutional and scientific working group to reform research in an ethical and modern way.

In France, you can also call for an end to the use of dogs in laboratories by signing our petition!