WASHINGTON – Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) released the following statements after the reintroduction of S.1104 – the Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization (WATCH) Act. This bill would ensure the United States is not funding risky research on animals in unregulated foreign laboratories.
“The outsourcing of animal testing and research to foreign laboratories, especially those in China that do not adhere to US regulatory requirements puts our nation at great risk. The WATCH Act works to put in place key guardrails toward foreign labs funded by the US taxpayer to ensure that each dollar is spent on humane and safe research with much needed transparency,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
“American taxpayers shouldn’t fund animal cruelty, and the WATCH Act puts in place common-sense guardrails to ensure federal funds only go to organizations upholding strong animal welfare standards,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “Our bipartisan bill is an important step forward to make sure NIH-funded studies meet consistent and enforceable animal welfare protections, regardless of where they are conducted.”
Background
The Watch Act:
- Requires foreign laboratories to meet the same animal welfare requirements as domestic laboratories to qualify for NIH funds.
- Foreign labs must submit to quarterly site inspections to ensure their continued compliance with animal welfare requirements.
- The NIH provides $220 million per year in grants to foreign organizations for research projects involving animals.
- Unchecked animal testing in foreign nations often contributes to the formation and propagation of new diseases.
- U.S. labs conducting research involving live animal subjects require proper care for animal subjects, clean cages, and on-site veterinarians. There are no such requirements for foreign labs.
- Labs failing to meet our standards will be given a reasonable opportunity to correct deficiencies or risk losing U.S. funding.
Click here to read full text of the bill.
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