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Swiss Transparency Agreement on Animal Research (STAAR)

STAAR aims to improve communication and transparency regarding the use of animals in research. It brings together both public and private organisations that either carry out, are involved and/or fund animal research or institutions which breed and supply animals . STAAR is a Commission of the Chamber of Universities.

Signatory organisations make the following commitments:

  • We will be clear about how and why we use or support the use of animals in research,
  • We will enhance our communication with the public and the media about our involvement with research using animals,
  • We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about our involvement with research using animals,
  • We will report on progress annually and share our experiences.

Concrete objectives (‘STAAR Standards’) are defined each year. In June 2024, the following objectives have been set:

Figures

Signatories performing research work towards making publicly available

  • number of animals and species used;
  • number of animals used in each severity degree.

Communication

When publishing information on a research project that used animals, signatories work towards providing comprehensive explanations of the importance of using animals in this specific case and how experiments on animals contribute to achieving the project. All signatories encourage the use of channels targeting the general public.

Public engagement

Signatories work towards supporting the organization of public events such as debates, open days, etc.

Explaining animal research

Signatories work towards providing information on the main fields of research at their institution and examples of research projects using animals. In the description of these projects, they pay attention to explaining procedures (including euthanasia) and their severity degree.

STAAR's activities are planned and executed by two bodies: the Plenary Assembly composed of representatives of all members, and a Working Group which is responsible for the management of STAAR. STAAR is promoted at the national level by a member organisation which is designated as the lead organisation.

Members of the Working Group

  • Michael O. Hottiger (UZH and Member of the Kommission für Tierversuchsethik KTVE), President
  • Antoine Adamantidis (UniBE)
  • Paolo Cinelli (UZH/USZ and President of the Swiss Society for Laboratory Animal Science SGV)
  • Cédric Focking Schneider (UNIL and President of the Communication group of the Swiss Animal Facilities Network SAFN)
  • Maike Heimann (ETH Zürich and President of the Swiss Association of Veterinarians in Industry and Research SAVIR)
  • Kurt Lingenhoehl (Novartis)
  • Daniele Roppolo (UNIGE)
  • Jenny Sandström (Executive Director of the Swiss 3R Competence Center 3RCC)
  • Michaela Thallmair (UZH and Chair of the Animal Welfare Officer Network AWO-N)
  • Xavier Warot (EPFL and Chair of the Board of Head of Animal Facilities of the Swiss Animal Facilities Network SAFN)
  • Marius Widmer (Unifr)

The following organisations are members of STAAR (List):

Become a STAAR signatory

Letter of intent (Document)

Contact: Anne Planche