The White Coat Waste Project (WCW), which monitors taxpayer spending, is applauding the efforts of the Trump administration’s EPA for achieving a goal of cutting mammal testing by 30% by 2025. This is seen as a significant accomplishment since President Trump took office.
This target was actually set by Andrew Wheeler, a former EPA Administrator during Trump’s first term. He noted that a memo he signed aimed to significantly reduce animal testing, specifically through a 30% cut in both requests and funding for such testing by 2025, with a complete elimination aimed for by 2035.
This goal remained a priority for the EPA under Secretary Lee Zeldin during Trump’s second term, especially after the Biden administration put the brakes on it earlier this year.
“During Trump’s first term, the EPA emphasized the reduction of animal testing, promising a 30% decrease by 2025 and complete elimination by 2035,” mentioned EPA spokesperson Molly Basselieux.
“The Biden administration’s delay in meeting compliance deadlines has hindered progress. However, Secretary Zeldin is committed to reestablishing the agency’s focus on eliminating animal testing.”
The experiments reported included subjecting rats and mice to extreme conditions, like high heat and simulated wildfire smoke, to study the effects of climate change, as outlined in WCW’s research summary.
Despite challenges from the Biden administration, the target to reduce animal testing seems to be on track. This news coincides with the EPA celebrating its top accomplishments over the past 300 days.
“Reviving Trump’s plans to decrease animal testing has become a fundamental priority since day one of this administration. We commend President Trump and Administrator Zeldin for their dedication to the promises made to taxpayers and pet owners,” said WCW President Anthony Belotti in a recent statement.
He continued:
Thanks to the efforts of White Coat Waste and the remarkable leadership during Trump’s administration, it seems the EPA is poised to not only meet but possibly surpass the 2025 target set to cut funding for animal labs by 30%.
WCW collaborated with the first Trump administration to lower the testing of all mammals by 30% by 2025, aiming for a total phase-out by 2035, while also focusing on adopting retired laboratory animals.
During Biden’s term, the schedule for these goals was scrapped, and reports surfaced of a rabbit scheduled for retirement being put down. Although animal rights groups didn’t raise concerns at the time, WCW highlighted these issues, prompting President Trump to take notice and act.
Through a bipartisan effort, they united lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to push forward a bill that directs the EPA to reinstate timelines for reducing animal testing.
The solution appears straightforward, focusing on halting unnecessary spending and stopping harmful practices.
Breitbart News also received a statement from Wheeler, the former EPA head, expressing his support.
“As someone who loves animals, I commend the efforts of Secretary Zeldin and the EPA for reviving my initial plan to eliminate outdated animal testing practices,” stated Wheeler.
“It was disheartening to see the Biden-Harris administration cancel the timeline right after we left office, rather than work towards meeting the 2025 and 2035 standards for replacing animal testing with better alternatives. Ultimately, the Trump EPA’s strategies saved countless animals from suffering, safeguarded public health, and saved taxpayers money. We’re grateful to WCW for keeping this issue prominent.”
This aligns with WCW’s ongoing endeavors to uncover and abolish inhumane animal testing practices. For instance, this summer, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a bill aimed at defunding NIH’s painful animal testing, following revelations from WCW.
