"WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said Tuesday he was signing a memo to reduce agency-funded animal testing, vowing to almost completely end the practice by 2035.

Wheeler also said he was awarding $4.25 million to five research universities to advance research and development of alternative test methods for evaluating safety of chemicals “that will minimize, and hopefully eliminate, the need for animal testing.” The plan calls on cutting mammal testing by 30% by 2025.

A handful of U.S. agencies conduct animal testing, including the Federal Drug Administration for vaccines and drugs, and Agriculture Department for pesticides. The Transportation Department and National Toxicology Program also conduct such tests."

Valerie Volcovici and David Shepardson report for Reuters September 10, 2019. [2]