The Food Safety Authority says it has found a way to avoid using mice to test for toxins in shellfish.
The tests will be now done in a laboratory.
The authority says this information was sent to the European Union, whose members import New Zealand shellfish and it has allowed New Zealand to start using the laboratory-based test.
Market access manager Tony Zohrab says this is good news for animal welfare and it is also cheaper to use.
However, he does not know how many mice will be saved by the switch.
