ICCVAM Public Forums
Traditionally held in person, the ICCVAM public forum meetings in 2020 and 2021 were held virtually because of restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19. However, both meetings provided opportunities for public interaction with representatives from ICCVAM member agencies.
ICCVAM held its seventh public forum on May 21, 2020, which was viewed by about 400 individuals. Representatives of ICCVAM member agencies described work both to advance new approaches to safety testing of chemicals and medical products and to reduce the amount of testing required. Commenters at the forum commended the agencies’ progress and noted the importance of federal agencies taking leadership roles in reducing animal testing. In addition to government agencies, viewers represented pharmaceutical and chemical companies, animal welfare organizations, and test method developers.
The 2021 public forum was held on May 27 and attracted nearly 200 viewers. The program featured 13 presentations from nine of the 17 ICCVAM member agencies. Representatives described efforts to reduce animal use within their agencies and by their stakeholders, as well as research activities that advance new non-animal approaches. Stakeholders expressed particular interest in activities that advance alternatives to animal use in the context of regulatory requirements. Such activities were outlined by CPSC and two EPA offices. A request to the public for comments to be presented during the meeting produced a robust response, with nine commenters presenting during the meeting and an additional four written comments received.