The RSPCA needs you to help laboratory animals

The RSPCA needs you to help laboratory animals

The RSPCA needs you to help laboratory animals

The RSPCA wants the public to grasp a vital opportunity to help benefit millions of laboratory animals – and back the Society’s call for a European law to protect all animals used in harmful experiments.

The European Directive (86/609) – which regulates the use of animals in research and testing – is under review, and the Society is pressing for tighter controls on animal use throughout Europe.

Currently the Directive sets minimum standards for animal breeding, husbandry and use, but this only applies to some of the animals used in research, excluding those used in basic research, education and training. Around 35 per cent of animals used for scientific purposes fall into these categories.

RSPCA senior scientist Dr Maggy Jennings said: “All of these animals matter. If they are covered by the Directive, their care and use will be properly regulated and they will be included in official statistics on animal experiments.

“This is a vital opportunity to benefit millions of animals, and by signing the RSPCA’s petition, people could help take us one step closer to significantly reducing the suffering of animals used in research throughout Europe.”

People can help by signing the RSPCA petition which can be found at www.rspca.org.uk/directive86609, or in RSPCA branches and shops. The petition will be presented to the Government at the end of the year.

The RSPCA is also asking the government to promote and support the inclusion of the following points in the new Directive:

  • The scope of the Directive should be extended to cover the breeding and maintenance of genetically altered and cloned animals.
  • Housing and care standards should be improved for all species – this is the least these animals deserve while their use continues.
  • Procedures causing animals substantial or severe suffering should not be allowed.
  • There should be greater openness and accountability in the use of animals in scientific procedures.

The European Commission is expected to publish its proposals for revising the Directive by the end of the year.

-ends-

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099 Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 0870 0555500 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk