H.R. 3043: Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act

This legislation, titled the "Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act," seeks to prohibit the use of U.S. taxpayer funds for animal research in specific foreign countries deemed adversarial. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would be restricted from conducting or funding research involving vertebrate animals in areas controlled by certain foreign governments. Specifically, the bill would impact funding and research activities in the following countries:

Countries Specified in the Bill

• The People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong)
• The Islamic Republic of Iran
• The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
• The Russian Federation

The legislation has two main components:

Prohibition on Direct Research

The Secretary of Health and Human Services is explicitly prohibited from:

1. Conducting biomedical research that involves vertebrate animal testing in any facilities located in the specified foreign countries or those under their control.
2. Providing financial support (such as grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements) for similar research conducted in those countries.

Determination of Additional Foreign Countries

The Secretary of Health and Human Services can designate other countries as concerns based on consultations with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. When a determination is made about such countries, the Secretary is required to submit a report to appropriate congressional committees. The report must outline the reasoning behind the determination and must be submitted within 60 days of the decision.

Reporting Requirements

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services provide detailed reports on any additions to the list of concerning countries. This includes:

• A detailed justification for the designation of any newly identified foreign country.
• Submission of the report to designated committees in Congress, which include various Senate and House committees focused on appropriations, health, and security.

Overall objectives

The primary aim of the bill is to ensure that U.S. federal resources are not utilized for animal research in countries that are considered adversarial, thereby aligning research funding with national security interests.

Relevant Companies

None found