The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) is a campaign group that opposes all animal testing. It achieves this through research, education, public awareness and political lobbying.

1. PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ACT
‘Legal Highs’ were being sold with no regulation.
Prohibition didn’t work; a new approach was needed.
Govt wanted manufacturers
to prove safety before sale
Asked one “expert” for
a model testing regime…

2. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION
Initial report from Cabinet papers: some testing on rodents…
NEEDED TO FIND OUT MORE
Ministry of Health documents released to NZAVS showed:
• Acute toxicity – small and large
animals; LD50
• Repeat dose toxicity – small and large
animals
• Toxicokinetic – small and large
animals
• Genotoxicity – a test battery with in
vitro and rodent testing

3. INITIAL LOBBYING AND SHARING
TO INFORM
• Other NGOs, activists
and grassroots groups
• Supportive MP
AND LOBBY
• Minister responsible
• Ministry Officials
HAD LIMITED IMPACT…

4. PUBLIC AWARENESS / MEDIA
• Inform people
• Create a national issue
• Political Pressure
FIRST VICTORY – LD50 test ruled out the next day

5. LOBBYING PARLIAMENT (PART ONE)
Wanted to go from no mention of the testing
regime in the Bill to a ban on all animal testing.
• Petition
• Submissions
• Mock hearing
• Direct lobbying
• By supportive MPs
Led to a ban proposed by Green Party to be voted on…

6. CHANGES TO LEGISLATION
A big ask but got 53:61:7 for the ban
No ban yet but significant gains
Animal testing now addressed:
• No animal testing when a “suitable alternative” exists
• Regular reviews of testing requirements
• NZ’s Animal Welfare Act restrictions apply to overseas
testing

7. NATIONWIDE PROTESTS
Immediate grass-roots response to
the govt rejecting the ban – 19 days
later in 13 centres (on a Tuesday!);
biggest animal related marches in NZ.

8. WORKING WITHIN THE REGIME
Alternatives mandatory so needed to show
in vitro tests were suitable for the purposes
• PSEAC member
• Expert advice
Problems:
• Pre-conceptions
• Pre-judged outcomes
• Unwillingness to find a
non-animal testing regime

9. LOBBYING PARLIAMENT (PART TWO)
Second chance: Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2014
Amendment for a ban proposed (SOP 341)
• Lobbying for the SOP
– Public submissions
– Substantial submissions
– Select Committee hearing
– Email campaign
Then waiting, waiting…

10. LOBBYING PARLIAMENT (PART THREE)
An Unexpected Opportunity
PSA to be quickly amended –
temporary product ban
announced (27 April 2014)
until testing regime in place
• Focus then on testing
→ 1 week intensive campaign
to include animal test ban

11. EIGHT DAYS LATER… SUCCESS!
5 May 2014:
Prime Minister announces an
animal testing ban on morning TV
Q: So you’ve ruled it out?
PM: Yep.
6 May 2014:
Passed into law