3R Centres in Europe

Collective and centralized efforts to promote implementation of the 3Rs principle begin in earnest during the 1980s, with the establishment of centres for the replacement of animal testing, the launch of laboratory animal science training and the establishment of animal ethics committees. The establishment of the NC3Rs in the UK in 2004 represents a change from relatively piecemeal activities to a broad and holistic approach to promoting Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Since then, 3R centres of different types have been established across Europe, with a wide variety of formats, ranging from governmentally instituted and funded national centres to institutional initiatives.

There are two collaborative networks for European 3R Centres: EU3RNet and IMPROVE. 3RKC is represented in both of these, which means that we have an opportunity to share our expertise with others in the field and learn from their experience.

Of the many different centres, 3RKC probably has most in common with the Italian Centro3R, which is also a bottom up initiative from academic research and teaching institutions. It is no coincidence that we invited Arti Ahluwalia who leads Centro3R to give the plenary talk at the launch event for 3RKC!