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