Replacing animal research in Taiwan: The impact of winning a Lush Prize
Wu Hung (Tseng-Hung Chu) of the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST), discusses the importance of winning a Lush Prize on the replacement of animal use in research and testing.
In 2020, the Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST) won the Lush Prize for Lobbying. EAST advocates for the replacement of animal testing with non-animal methods and for the improvement of animal welfare standards in laboratories where animal use is still deemed unavoidable, always guided by the best available scientific evidence and technological progress in the field of humane science.
We received the Lobbying Award for our successful efforts in ensuring that non-animal test methods were prioritised and that unnecessary animal experiments were prevented in Taiwan’s chemical registration process. Through our advocacy, regulatory authorities required registrants to minimise animal testing as much as possible. Several complementary measures – including data-sharing mechanisms and discounted registration fees for submissions using non-animal test methods – were implemented to foster a NAMs-friendly regulatory environment.
Winning the Lush Prize significantly accelerated and strengthened our advocacy work. The international recognition not only validated our mission but also enhanced the legitimacy and visibility of animal alternatives within Taiwan’s scientific and policy communities. Government agencies became more open-minded and receptive to the concept of non-animal testing and began to embrace regulatory innovation.
Building on that momentum, we expanded our focus beyond chemicals. We have since worked to promote the replacement of animals across other regulatory testing schemes, including effluent water pollution, pesticide safety, health food certification, and the batch testing of veterinary drugs. This broad application demonstrates how NAMs can support a more ethical, efficient, and scientifically advanced regulatory framework across multiple sectors.
The Lush Prize has also provided us with valuable social capital, helping us gain trust and cooperation from academia, government, and civil society. It facilitates us in promoting the establishment of a national 3Rs platform in Taiwan. Today, we are glad that a governmental interagency 3Rs Office has been set up – a major step forward in institutionalising the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement at the national level.
Moreover, the generous financial support from the Lush Prize allowed us to recruit passionate and skilled professionals, creating a virtuous cycle that has further accelerated our 3Rs initiatives. This kind of support is especially meaningful for a small, donation-based non-profit organisation like EAST, where every resource makes a tangible difference in sustaining long-term advocacy.
I sincerely encourage animal welfare advocates, scientists, and policy reformers around the world to apply for the Lush Prize. It not only provides financial assistance but also generates momentum, credibility, and cross-sector connections. The Prize builds bridges between science, advocacy, and the public, raising awareness among regulators and inspiring a collective movement toward a world free from animal testing.
The Lush Prize is not merely a trophy — it is a lasting catalyst for hope, transformation, and progress.
(Note: The Lobbying Prize has now been renamed the Political Advocacy Prize)
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