The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZVAS), a charity against animal testing and experimentation, has won the 2022 Lush Prize for the best global project to persuade a regulator to prevent animal testing.
Established in 2012 by cosmetics company Lush and research group Ethical Consumer, the Lush Prize awards organisations that help bring an end to all testing on animals.
The NZVAS focused on disproving the usefulness of the "Forced Swim Test", a procedure that involves forcing small animals into inescapable beakers of water until they "give up" and float. Some scientists have used this method to attempt to mimic depression or hopelessness in humans.
However, NZVAS were able to work with the country's Economic Development, Science and Innovation Select Committee to conclude that the test was invalid and not useful. Consequently, New Zealand's animal ethics committees have begun declining applications to run the test.
Judges were impressed by NZVAS's dedication and success in campaigning against a specific animal testing method.
Lush Prize Director Rob Harrison stated that "the work of the New Zealand Anti-vivisection Society showed us that one way to get this goal could be to persuade governments to reject one test at a time."
NZVAS were also commended for their work in drawing public attention and persuading Kiwis to sign their petitions.
