Swiss Transparency Agreement on Animal Research (STAAR) - Annual Report 2023
Institutional Communication Service
The Swiss Transparency Agreement on Animal Research was launched in 2022 to increase transparency in the use of animals for research. The 26 signatory organisations, including Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), have committed themselves on four fronts: to provide information on their use of animals or their support for animal research; to promote dialogue with the public and the press; to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about animal experiments; and to publish information on the progress made in the area of transparency. In addition to these four commitments, four initial targets were adopted for 2022-2023 and four more for the period after that: the so-called "STAAR standards".
The annual report provides information on the transparency activities carried out in 2023 by the 26 organisations signatories to the STAAR agreement, of which 14 are conducting animal research (referred to here as "PAR" Performing Animal Research) and 12 are supporting research, including projects involving animals (referred to here as "SAR" Supporting Animal Research). This report is based on members' answers to a questionnaire prepared by a working group of swissuniversities, the organisation coordinating the initiative. The survey results are complemented by examples of activities carried out by members to increase transparency.
In brief:
- The number of PARs that published data on animals used in experiments increased in 2023 from 9 to 11 (out of 14).
- All PARs carried out activities to inform staff not directly involved in working with animals. 9 PARs (9/14, 64%) organised enclosure visits, while 10 PARs (10/14, 71%) provided information on animal experiments through presentations, courses or newsletters.
- All members collaborated with the press when requested.
- All PARs, except one, published information on those areas of research that use animals in their institutions.
- 64% of the PARs (9/14) provided details on the severity of animal procedures.
- Most PARs used pictures or video footage - most commonly images, this also applies to SARs. Regarding animal enclosures, most PARs published pictures, while only four members published films of such facilities. Images and films of animal interventions remain rare.
- Communication with the public took the form of articles on animal experiments or the 3Rs (71% of the PARs and 75% of the SARs), as well as lectures or presentations (50% of the PARs and 50% of the SARs). Most PARs (79%, 11/14) and SARs (58%, 7/12) published news about animal experimentation or information on discoveries made using animals. Social networks X and LinkedIn were preferred over Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
- Most PARs (10/14, 71%) organised training courses on communicating with the press or referred staff to external organisations that provide such courses. This practice was not common among SARs (only two offered such courses), probably because their employees are not directly involved in working with animals.
- Most members transparently informed about their efforts to promote and advance 3R through various channels: examples of implemented 3R methods were published on websites (93% of PARs, 13/14; 67% of SARs, 8/12), in other types of publications (64% of PARs, 9/14; 67% of SARs, 8/12) and on social networks (64% of PARs, 9/14; 67% of SARs, 8/12). Awards in recognition of commitment to the 3Rs were given by 9 members, 2 more than in 2022.
- Most PARs (12/14, 86%) organised or participated in at least one activity aimed at patients, schools or the general public. These activities were carried out by 7/12 SARs (58%). 4 PARs and 5 SARs took to the streets to answer questions on animal research and discuss this topic openly.
For more information on the Annual Report 2023, click here.
