NZ University forces the forced swim test to fall further from use

The Forced Swim Test (FST) - a widely criticised and scientifically outdated animal test, is increasingly becoming a thing of the past.

BAR is extremely delighted to report that - The university of waikato has forced the FST to fall even further from use thanks to this recent watershed position statement announcement:

The Animal Ethics Committee supports the position statement of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) that continued use of the Porsolt Forced Swim Test is not recommended as a valid model for human depression and therefore should not be approved for use in that context.

BAR commends The University of waikato’s animal ethics committee on making this position statement public, acknowledging that it does not recommend the FST, and by doing so, be the first University in Aotearoa New Zealand, to make this important stand for animals.

Miss Tara Jackson, Co-Founder at BAR says: “It's not only a privilege for the university to share this information with BAR but to process the level of positive impact that has for animals in science, within NZ and beyond.  When one university makes this positive stance, it ultimately makes it very hard for other universities to hold the door open to such a cruel and outdated test, both here and overseas.”

All eight NZ universities say no to the forced swim test

BAR is also thrilled to confirm that no New Zealand university has recently used or approved the FST since 1 January 2023.

Universities confirming no recent use or approval

At least four universities had historically used or approved this test, but according to recent Official Information Act (OIA) responses, all eight institutions confirmed they have not approved or used it since that date.

These eight universities are:

• Auckland university of technology
• Lincoln university
• Massey university
• University of auckland
• University of canterbury
• University of otago
• University of waikato
• Victoria university of wellington

The forced swim test has no social license

This response, together with the public position statement from The University of Waikato, is a powerful indicator that the loss of social license for the FST is real and remains strong in NZ; by holding this test firmly in our sights.

BAR’s evidence-based approach

At BAR, our work is grounded in facts, not assumptions. Without BAR officially checking in on each university, and their genuine willingness to interact with us transparently, we would not have received this great news from The University of Waikato, which is of course, great news for animals! 

Why BAR will keep watch

BAR has now written to the remaining universities asking them if they will publicly commit to the same or similar stance on the FST as The University of Waikato. Such a position statement, from each university, would be a permanent red line for the FST in NZ. 

Continuing the conversation

We have also written to the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) to thank them for their guidance on the FST with their continued stance on the Porsolt Forced Swim Test, not being a ‘valid model for human depression.’

We must never allow for the FST to quietly return under the radar, and we know that you will continue to support us, keeping watch and keeping the dialogue open with these universities to end this cruel test, once and for all.  Because when we do, there are great wins to be had for animals used for science in NZ and beyond.

What is the forced swim test

The Forced Swim Test (also known as the Porsolt Test) is an animal test using rodents, usually mice or rats, who are placed in a transparent cylinder filled with water, with no way to escape or stand to rest. They are forced to swim until they give up and float. It has been used to try model human depression or despair, despite significant scientific and ethical concerns.