Animal testing: exclusive footage exposes the horror of toxicity tests

7 in 10 Belgians want a gradual ban on animal testing

April 20, 2026

Brussels, 20 April 2026 — On the occasion of World Day for Laboratory Animals, observed on 24 April, GAIA is releasing footage filmed in a British laboratory working for clients based in the European Union. Unveiled in partnership with the organisation Animals International, the footage stems from a months-long investigation and shows animals subjected to toxicity testing procedures involving restraint, exposure to toxic substances, force-feeding by gavage and, at the end of the protocols, killing. It offers a stark and concrete view of the intensity of the suffering inflicted: fear, extreme stress, physical pain, respiratory distress, exhaustion and, in some cases, such severe agony that the animals die during the tests or have to be put down because of the seriousness of their condition.

Behind technical terms such as “safety tests” or “safety assessments”, this footage sheds light on practices involving animals kept in confinement, handled repeatedly and subjected to extremely gruelling procedures. The consequences can be devastating: weight loss, tremors, loss of mobility in certain limbs, lack of coordination, convulsions, physical collapse and even death. These tests are used in the development of medicines, but also for certain industrial chemicals, pesticides and food additives.

The footage shows rats, rabbits, dogs, pigs and non-human primates used in tests designed to assess the potentially harmful effects of various substances. Injection, inhalation, tube administration or dermal exposure: these procedures aim to determine the dose at which a substance causes adverse effects, disease or even death. In some cases, the doses administered are up to 100 times higher than those to which humans could be exposed.

“What these images show is extremely difficult to watch. They reveal animals subjected to cruel procedures in a reality that remains largely hidden from the public. This suffering is no longer acceptable today. We can no longer look away. It is urgent to accelerate the transition to animal-free methods.” — Michel Vandenbosch, GAIA's president

Gruelling practices with increasingly evident scientific limits

This footage comes at a time when some workers in the sector are voicing ethical concerns and helping to bring these realities to light. Scientific literature also shows that staff are affected, with reported cases of moral distress, post-traumatic stress and compassion fatigue. A growing number of scientists are highlighting the limits of animal tests, particularly because of the difficulty of extrapolating results to humans. Alternative methods, such as organs-on-chips, human tissue cultures and artificial intelligence, offer more reliable and ethical prospects.

A reality that also concerns Belgium

Belgium is not exempt. For toxicity and safety tests alone, nearly 3,700 animals were used in 2024, including 566 in Wallonia, 92 in the Brussels-Capital Region and 3,020 in Flanders. These tests, among the most gruelling, illustrate a reality that is often overlooked but deeply troubling.

More broadly, the available data for 2024 show that more than 375,000 animal experiments were carried out in Belgium, including 112,754 in Wallonia, 52,714 in Brussels and 211,386 in Flanders. These figures reflect only part of the reality, as they do not include all animals used for breeding or those that died outside experimental protocols.

7 in 10 Belgians want a gradual ban

An opinion poll conducted by Dedicated at GAIA’s request (between 2 and 12 February 2026) reveals a major disconnect between current practices and public expectations. Three quarters of Belgians consider animal testing unacceptable or express no opinion, while 63% believe it should be banned. Some 71% of Belgians support the idea that governments should take steps to gradually ban these practices.

There is also an overwhelming consensus on the measures to be taken. A crushing majority supports stricter inspections and penalties (93%), a ban on the most painful practices (92%), a gradual reduction in animal testing (85%) and increased funding for alternatives (83%).

In addition, 79% of Belgians say they support giving priority to banning tests on dogs, cats, primates and equines.

GAIA launches a major nationwide campaign

In response to these findings, GAIA is launching a major new campaign in Belgium on the occasion of World Day for Laboratory Animals. The campaign, to be broadcast on television, in cinemas and on social media, aims to raise broad public awareness of the reality of animal testing, increase pressure on political decision-makers and accelerate the transition to animal-free methods.

Belgium and Europe must now take the next step

In 2023, 9.1 million animals were used in animal testing across Europe. The European Commission has announced a roadmap aimed at gradually reducing these practices. For GAIA, this ambition must now quickly be translated into a clear timetable, measurable targets, concrete legislative changes and sufficient funding for alternatives.

In Belgium, animal testing remains a structural and widespread practice and, to date, none of the regions has a comprehensive and coherent strategy aimed at significantly reducing recourse to these practices.

GAIA is calling on the three Ministers for Animal Welfare to make this transition an immediate political priority and to draw up without delay a coherent strategy to phase out animal testing.