After scientists protest, Colombian lawmakers withdraw animal welfare bill

Aided by an aggressive social media campaign, a coalition of scientists in Colombia this week persuaded lawmakers to withdraw a proposal they say would have severely limited the use of animals in laboratory and field research. Now, the researchers are pressing lawmakers to retract a second, similar proposal. The controversy initially focused on legislation introduced in late July by lawmakers led by Juan Carlos Lozada Vargas, a member of Colombia’s House of Representatives representing the Liberal Party. Backed by animal rights groups including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Animal Rights International, the bill aimed to strengthen the nation’s animal welfare regulations. But many scientists, conservationists, and others found it too extreme. One provision stated that “under no circumstances” could “wildlife be used in education or biological studies.” Another suggested that research on wild animals should be allowed only if a species were at risk of extinction or the research was needed to address a public health emergency, such as a pandemic. To highlight the need for the legislation, some backers pointed to the recent shutdown of a primate research center in southern Colombia, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, that allegedly mistreated monkeys. Lozada Vargas said the bill was also inspired by U.S. legislative proposals, such as the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 , ...
Source: ScienceNOW - Category: Science Source Type: news