Number of animals used in tests falls

A total of 225,310 animals were experimented on last year. Photo / 123RF

Fewer animals were used in experiments in New Zealand in 2015 but a bigger proportion didn't survive their tests, according to figures released by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

A total of 225,310 animals were experimented on last year, down 27.4 per cent on 2014, and the most popular subjects, in order, were cattle, mice, fish and sheep.

However, the proportion that died or were put down rose to 39.1 per cent from 34.4 per cent.

The figures show more than 75 per cent involved experiments which caused little or no harm, down from the long-term average of 80.9 per cent.

However, animals suffering "moderate impact" rose from the long-term average of 12.5 per cent to 19.3 per cent.

Those animals suffering most harm dropped from the long-term average of 6.6 per cent to 5.1 per cent.

Stock survival rates were 96.2 per cent because the experiments were minimally invasive and they generally stayed with their herd.

However, just 3.3 per cent of rodents and rabbits survived their experiments.

MPI noted the rolling three-year average, at 253,215, was at its lowest since the Animal Welfare Act 1999 came into force.

"There are strict controls around the use of animals for research, testing and teaching," said MPI's Paul Dansted.

"These controls are designed to prevent unnecessary pain and distress to animals and ensure any cost to the animals must be outweighed by the potential or actual benefits to be gained from the work."

- AAP