Community Meeting:
Animal Testing on City-Controlled
Property
March 6, 2024
Why are we here tonight?
The City Council will consider whether or not to prohibit animal testing on City owned or controlled property at its April 16th Meeting.
Animal testing refers to experimentation on living animals for the purpose of studying diseases and biology, the effectiveness of newly developed pharmaceuticals and medications, and the safety of consumer products.
• In Alameda, some life sciences companies advance medical research with animal testing
• This is generally required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) • It is the step necessary to move a drug or device into human clinical trials.
What is Animal Testing?
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts pre-licensing inspections, and unannounced compliance inspections.
• Health Research Extension Act (HREA) provides further federal regulatory guidance and oversight for all research funded by federal government (e.g., NIH)
• Other regulatory authorities work with the FDA and USDA to oversee animal testing.
• All research facilities must convene committee (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)) to review and approve, or veto, all research protocols using animal models at facility prior to research beginning.
How is Animal Testing Regulated?
• In 2018, California became the first state to prohibit the sale of cosmetic products that use animal testing with the passage of California Cruelty- Free Cosmetics Act (SB 1249).
• In 2022, California adopted SB 879, the PET (Prohibiting Extraneous Testing) Act, which prohibits toxicity testing on dogs and cats for pesticides, chemical substances and other products. The bill includes exemptions for tests related to products intended for use in dogs or cats, including medical treatments. SB 879 does not impact federally required testing.
How is Animal Testing Regulated?
Yes.
• The FDA Modernization Act 2.0 states that animal testing is not required • However, in practice, the alternative methods are not developed enough, or approved by the FDA (e.g., synthetic organ models grown from stem cells, computer modeling)
• Researchers and advocates are pushing FDA to develop protocols for alternative research methods
Are there Efforts to Keep Advancing Research
Without Animal Testing?
Except as specifically required by state or federal law, no person shall engage in or permit animal testing or experimentation on any property owned or controlled by the City of Alameda in its proprietary capacity.
. . .
The prohibitions set forth in this section shall not apply to animal shelters, animal hospitals, veterinary offices, adoption, grooming, and animal care facilities, and similar uses. This section is not and shall not be construed to be an exercise of the City’s zoning or land use authority.
Proposed Ordinance Language
“Controlled” for purposes of this section refers to any property of which the City is not a fee simple owner but holds proprietary control (including any property of which the City is a tenant, subtenant, lessee, sublessee, or licensee); and property occupied but not owned by the City in anticipation of future conveyance to the City (including but not limited to property of which the United States Navy is the fee simple owner).
Proposed Ordinance Language
• Most of Alameda Point
• Marinas and other areas in State Tidelands Trust (activities requiring animal testing already aren't allowed here)
• Some commercial buildings and remnant parcels – Alameda Theater complex, Grandview Pavilion e.g.
• Civic facilities used by the general public and to provide City services What is City Owned or Controlled Land?
Presence of Life Sciences in Alameda
• One of the City's six priority economic sectors
• A robust and growing sector locally
• Approx. 35 businesses, 3,300 jobs (12% of total employment in Alameda)
• Most new commercial construction regionally is in life sciences • What is a life sciences business?
• Pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, biomedical technologies, food processing, among other industry subsectors
1. Do you support or oppose a local ban on animal testing activities taking place on city-owned or controlled property?
2. Do you support an alternative to banning animal testing on City owned or controlled property in Alameda? If so, what alternatives would you support?
3. Do you believe prohibiting animal testing on City-owned property will affect the City's reputation, in either positive or negative ways, for:
1. Alameda residents
2. Attracting and retaining businesses in the Life Sciences industry
3. Attracting and retaining other types of businesses
4. Alameda's reputation in the region, state, or nation If so, please describe how, and whether you perceive impacts on the City's reputation to be more positive or negative.
4. Is there anything else you would like the City to know before considering this Ordinance? Guiding Questions
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