NZAVS - Lush Prize Conference 2014

PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ACT‘Legal Highs’ were being sold with no regulation.

Prohibition didn’t work; a new approach was needed.

Govt wanted manufacturers to prove safety before sale

Asked one “expert” for a model testing regime…

RESEARCH AND INFORMATION

NEEDED TO FIND OUT MORE

Ministry of Health documents released to NZAVS showed:

Initial report from Cabinet papers: some testing on rodents…

• Acute toxicity – small and large animals; LD50

• Repeat dose toxicity – small and large animals

• Toxicokinetic – small and large animals• Genotoxicity – a test battery with in

vitro and rodent testing

INITIAL LOBBYING AND SHARINGTO INFORM• Other NGOs, activists and

grassroots groups • Supportive MP

AND LOBBY• Minister responsible • Ministry Officials

HAD LIMITED IMPACT…

PUBLIC AWARENESS / MEDIA• Inform people• Create a national issue• Political Pressure

FIRST VICTORY – LD50 test ruled out the next day

LOBBYING PARLIAMENT (PART ONE)Wanted to go from no mention of the testing regime

in the Bill to a ban on all animal testing.

• Petition• Submissions• Mock hearing• Direct lobbying• By supportive MPs

Led to a ban proposed by Green Party to be voted on…

CHANGES TO LEGISLATIONA big ask but got 53:61:7 for the ban

No ban yet but significant gainsAnimal testing now addressed:• No animal testing when a “suitable alternative” exists• Regular reviews of testing requirements• NZ’s Animal Welfare Act restrictions apply to overseas

testing

NATIONWIDE PROTESTSImmediate grass-roots response to the govt rejecting the ban – 19 days later in 13 centres (on a Tuesday!); biggest animal related marches in NZ.

WORKING WITHIN THE REGIMEAlternatives mandatory so needed to show in vitro tests were suitable for the purposes

• PSEAC member• Expert advice

Problems:• Pre-conceptions• Pre-judged outcomes• Unwillingness to find a non-animal testing regime

LOBBYING PARLIAMENT (PART TWO)

Second chance: Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2014

Amendment for a ban proposed (SOP 341)

• Lobbying for the SOP– Public submissions– Substantial submissions– Select Committee hearing– Email campaign

Then waiting, waiting…

LOBBYING PARLIAMENT (PART THREE)

PSA to be quickly amended – temporary product ban announced (27 April 2014) until testing regime in place

• Focus then on testing

→ 1 week intensive campaign to include animal test ban

An Unexpected Opportunity

EIGHT DAYS LATER… SUCCESS!5 May 2014: Prime Minister announces an animal testing ban on morning TV

Q: So you’ve ruled it out?PM: Yep.

6 May 2014: Passed into law