EVERY year, during World Lab Animal Week, compassionate people around the world speak out on behalf of the victims of vivisection.

World Day for Laboratory Animals on April 24 is a time to reflect upon the suffering of millions of monkeys, cats, fish, mice, rats, dogs, birds, rabbits, pigs, horses and many other species. Despite mounting evidence that the information gained by using animals cannot be reliably applied to human medicine, the suffering continues.

The UK conducts about three million "procedures" on animals every year which is more than any other EU country. They are poisoned to death in "safety" tests and in disease research. They are surgically mutilated, blinded, burnt, starved, psychologically tormented, and infected with lethal viruses.

A poll of British GPs found more than 80 per cent are concerned about the reliability of animal research, and in the European Parliament a large majority of MEPs has called for an end to primate experiments. Crucially there are important discussions of the new European Directive on the use of animals for scientific purposes. In 2007, leading US government agencies have declared that using animals to test the safety of drugs and chemicals is unreliable, expensive and slow. Their goal is to switch to modern, humane testing methods within 10 years.

The British Government must make a similar commitment to abolish vivisection and be true to its word. Readers can show their support for an end to vivisection by contacting the National Anti-Vivisection Society on 02076 303 340 or by visiting their website: www.navs.org.uk.

Frances Wicks

Alphington Road, Exeter