Reacción a "Spanish centres make progress in transparency in animal experimentation, according to COSCE report"

The 7th COSCE report is based on the analysis of a comprehensive survey on the implementation in 2023 of the commitments made by the signature of the Transparency Agreement. This survey has been answered by 90% of the adhering institutions, demonstrating their firm commitment to transparency in the use of animals in research. The survey, which responds to the 4th commitment to report annually on progress in the field, acts as a key self-assessment mechanism, encouraging institutions to strengthen and expand their activities to improve transparency and promote good practice.

Although the report could be conditioned by possible response biases, it remains a very useful tool that provides an up-to-date snapshot of the state of transparency in Spain and shows positive developments. It also serves to identify areas for improvement, among which I would highlight the need for the institutions' management to increase staff training and to develop institutional policies for the mention of animal models used in press releases and communiqués. In this sense, the annual report is an indispensable resource to guide future efforts.