Norway Rejects Military Application to Use Live Pigs in Deadly Training Exercises

January 2015

Following more than three years of campaigning by PETA, PETA Foundation U.K., and local activists, the Norwegian government has, for the first time, rejected an application by the Norwegian Armed Forces to shoot, stab, and break the bones of live pigs in crude medical training exercises on the grounds that non-animal training methods are available. The Norwegian Animal Research Authority’s (NARA) decision was, in part, based on information provided by PETA showing that human-patient simulators are more effective than injuring and killing animals. Regarding the application, NARA concluded, “The committee does not approve of the use of animal testing given the information provided …. The committee finds that the information that is provided in regards to the need to use live animals instead of alternatives in this research is not sufficient.”