Dr Hadwen Trust: MEPs get ready to debate Europe’s new draft animal experiments Directive
Non-animal medical research charity the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research [1] welcomes news that MEP discussions on Europe’s new draft ‘animal experiments directive’ will finally begin, now that a rapporteur and lead Committee have been allocated. Directive 86/609/EEC is 20 years old [2] in which time an estimated 235 million animals have been used in experiments across Europe [3]. Progress on a much-needed update has been continually delayed. Europe must better protect these animals and commit to a targeted strategy to replace them with alternatives, says the Dr Hadwen Trust.
More than 12 million animals are used in EU labs each year. [4] The European Commission published its draft proposal for a revised Directive in November this year. It contains many positive proposals such as a ban on the use of great apes, greater restrictions on the use of non-human primates and widening the scope of the Directive to cover animals used for basic medical research, education and training. A harmonised process to ethically review and prospectively authorise all animal research in the member states has also been proposed. [5]
Political disagreements have delayed progress on the draft Directive for many months. There were concerns amongst animal advocates that disagreements over which European Parliament Committee should take the lead in discussions, would further delay the process. However the Dr Hadwen Trust is relieved that UK Conservative MEP Neil Parish has finally been allocated as rapporteur and is set to begin discussions shortly.
“The Dr Hadwen Trust is greatly relieved that the years of delay are finally over and we can start the process of trying to win a better deal for Europe’s laboratory animals.” says Emily McIvor, Policy Director at the Dr Hadwen Trust. “This is a major milestone meaning that MEPs can at last begin debating the issues. We are confident that Neil Parish can drive the process forward and ensure that a new Directive really does improve the lives of animals. Most importantly we’re hoping to see Europe commit to a strategy to replace animal use with more advanced non-animal techniques. That would make a massive difference to improving animal welfare and medical progress.”
The Dr Hadwen Trust is leading the campaign for an EU-wide strategy to vastly increase investment in new non-animal replacement methods through the new EU legislation. In May this year the charity brought world renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall DBE [6] to the European Parliament to hand in a 150,000 signature petition from citizens in thirteen member states calling for greater action on alternatives including the creation of an EU Centre of Excellence in replacement research.
It is vital that MEPs reach first reading before the June 2009 European elections, or further delay could follow.
ENDS
Notes
1. The Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research is the UK’s leading non-animal medical research charity. www.drhadwentrust.org and www.endeuanimaltests.org
2. Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.
3. Calculation: the average number of animals used each year based on official statistics published by the EU Commission every three years, multiplied by the number of years between 1987-2007.
4. 12.1 million animals were used in EU experiments in 2005; Fifth Report on the Statistics on the Number of Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes in the Member States of the European Union published 5/11/2007 (these are the most recent EU wide statistics available).
5. Link to the proposal http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52008PC0543:EN:NOT
6. Jane Goodall PhD, DBE is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a UN Messenger of Peace. www.janegoodall.org
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