Switzerland: Fewer Animals Used Overall, but More Animals in Experiments Involving Severe Suffering

According to a media release issued today, the number of animals used in experiments in Switzerland fell again in 2025. The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) reports that a total of 507,863 animals were used, around 3 per cent fewer than in the previous year and the lowest number since records began in 1983. At the same time, however, the number of animals used in severely stressful experiments classified as severity grade 3 (medium- or long-term moderate to severe pain, injury or stress and impairment of their general state of health) increased. A total of 29,413 animals were affected, 7.4 per cent more than in 2024 and the highest figure in 26 years. The increase primarily concerned mice and was particularly associated with animal experiments in cancer research. The number of animals used in severity grade 3 experiments has been increasing since 2013. These contrasting developments draw attention not only to the overall number of animals used, but also to the level of suffering experienced by individual animals in research. Under the 3Rs principle applied in Switzerland, animal experiments should, wherever possible, be replaced (Replace), the number of animals used reduced (Reduce), and the burden imposed on them minimised (Refine).