IRBLleida maintains its excellence in transparency in animal experimentation

The Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida) maintains its excellence in transparency in animal experimentation and continues to be one of the 160 organisations in Spain that are part of the Agreement on Transparency in the Use of Animals in Scientific Experimentation in Spain, promoted by the Confederation of Scientific Societies of Spain (COSCE). These organisations represent virtually all sectors related to animal experimentation in Spain and include the most prominent public and private entities.

Currently, 12 countries around the world have signed a transparency agreement on the use of animals in scientific experimentation. The Spanish agreement, drafted by COSCE, was the second to be signed and is currently the most powerful, bringing together 160 public and private entities, including research centres, universities, patient associations, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and scientific associations. IRBLleida signed this agreement in 2016, the year it was created.

This agreement has four commitments, on which each member institution or entity is evaluated annually.

• Speak clearly about when, how and why animals are used in research.
• Provide adequate information to the media and the general public about the conditions under which research requiring the use of animal models is carried out and the results obtained from it.
• Promote initiatives that generate greater knowledge and understanding in society about the use of animals in scientific research.
• Facilitate the exchange of information on the progress of the Agreement and the exchange of experiences developed.

With the information provided by each institution, a report on the results is prepared and presented publicly. On 11 December, the eighth report on the results for 2024 was presented. This report highlights the activity of the Centre for Applied Experimental Biomedical Research (CREBA), the scientific-technical service of IRBLleida, as an example of openness and transparency.

'In addition, in recent weeks, the Ministry of Agriculture has published data on the use of animals in research in Spain. These data show a reduction, which may be associated with the scientific community's commitment to responsible use,' said CREBA Director Dolores García Olmo.

The CREBA Centre

 CREBA is dedicated to research and training in the field of biomedicine. Promoted by the Lleida Provincial Council and the Lleida Biomedical Research Institute, CREBA was created in response to the growing demand for specialised, high-quality facilities for translational research and the continuous professional development of healthcare professionals.

Located in the town of Torrelameu (Lleida), CREBA's facilities include a pig farm, teaching and simulation classrooms, and four operating theatres equipped with various surgical, anaesthetic and imaging technologies for training and research activities using open, laparoscopic, robotic and other interventional techniques.

Report COSCE