What types of animals are included in the Swedish statistics?

Vertebrates included

The Swedish and European statistics both include vertebrates. In Sweden, vertebrates include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and jawless fish. The European definition of vertebrates does not include jawless fish, lamprey, and hagfish.

Invertebrates excluded

Invertebrates such as insects, molluscs, and crustaceans are not included under the regulations for laboratory animals and therefore are not included in statistics on the use of these animals in scientific projects.

Fish samples

Since 2003, fish samples have been included under the definition of laboratory animals. Fish samples are taken to study the fish populations in our waterways.

Since collecting fish samples differs substantially from traditional laboratory activities involving fish, the statistics on laboratory animals are presented with and without fish samples. The number of fish collected as samples varies widely from year to year.

Published: 2009-04-15

Last updated: 2009-08-06

A comparison

Swedish and European definition of laboratory animals - what differentiates them?

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