The Netherlands takes a historic step for animals in laboratories – it will stop funding experiments on monkeys at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre and invest in humane, non-animal research.

In 2016, the Netherlands promised to be a leader in animal-free innovation by 2025. That promise stalled – until now. Now, The Kostić amendment is being implemented, making a breakthrough for research, animals, and democracy.

What Is the Kostić Amendment?

The Kostić amendment, named after Dutch MP Ines Kostić (Party for the Animals), was passed by both houses of the Dutch Parliament. It will phase out the government’s funding for experiments on monkeys and redirect it to non-animal research.

Starting in 2025, €2.5 million will be reallocated annually from monkey experiments at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in Rijswijk to human-relevant research using non-animal methods such as organ-on-chip technology, computer models, and human study participants. By 2030, this will grow to €12.5 million.

PETA Netherlands helped make this breakthrough happen. It informed members of the Dutch House of Representatives and Senate about the importance of the amendment and worked with Proefdiervrij to publish a full-page open letter signed by 16 Dutch scientists and physicians in four national newspapers – a powerful signal of support from the academic world.

Monkeys are not test tubes with tails. They are intelligent, social beings with emotions and relationships. Yet, they are still used in experiments that rarely contribute to improved human health. The amendment recognises that this is not justifiable – not scientifically, and not ethically.

A Moral Compass for Science

This isn’t just policy – it’s a moral shift. As the late beloved primatologist Jane Goodall said after seeing footage from the BPRC: what happens there is shocking and inhumane and must stop. PETA has campaigned for years for a shift toward non-animal, human-relevant research, and now it’s happening.

The Netherlands has now taken the first step toward truly becoming a guiding country. Science without animals is not only possible – it can also be better, faster, and more ethical. Let’s keep pushing forward – for the animals, for science, and for a society that takes its values seriously.

What You Can Do for Animals in Laboratories

Advanced, non-animal methods generate reliable results without cruelty. PETA’s Research Modernisation Deal outlines a strategy to replace experiments on monkeys and other animals with these superior methods.

Join the growing movement against all animal testing. Urge the government to adopt the Research Modernisation Deal.