About 60 animal-liberation activists blockaded the entrance to CSIRO’s East Geelong labratory on Tuesday to protest experiments on animals.
The Australian Animal Health Laboratory conducts animal experiments to research prevention for highly-infectious and dangerous diseases, about 70 per cent of which now originate in animals.
The activists demanded the laboratory end experiments on animals, including alpacas, dogs and bats, as they blockaded the entrance for three hours.
The laboratory had a role in protecting “the interests of multi-billion dollar animal-harming industries,” protester Joanne Lee said.
Instead of researching ways to treat diseases in animals through experiments, Ms Lee called for an end to industries that breed animals to “exploit and kill”.
The activists believed this would greatly reduce the risk of infectious diseases spreading.
“Animals are here with us, not for us,“ Ms Lee said.
“Their lives are their right, and what is happening to them is unjust, needless violence.“
But the CSRIO issued a statement on Tuesday morning saying the lab was vital to Australia’s biosecurity and that animal experimentation was a very small part of its work.
The lab replaced animal experimentation with other methods where possible and used the minimum number of animals required for a scientifically valid result, a spokesperson said.
The lab ensured the best quality of life possible for animals involved in research, the spokesperson said.
“We undertake to ensure that all animals involved in scientific activities are treated humanely and ethically.”
The lab had a responsibility to manage emerging infectious diseases, the spokesperson said.
