The total number of animals used in research in 2017 in Germany was 2.8 million, a similar level to 2015 and 2016, the latest figures reveal.
Germany is second only to the UK in its use of animals – in 2014, the total used was 3.3 million.
The figures, sent to the European Commission, show the vast majority of animals involved in the tests were rodents – 1.37 million mice and 255,000 rats.
Among other figures provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, 3,300 dogs and 718 cats were also used.
German media focused (and in German) also on the rise in experiments using monkeys – up to 3,472 from 2,462 in the previous year.
Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner, was quoted as saying: “I want the number of experiments on animals to be continuously reduced. Animals are fellow creatures and they deserve our sympathy.”