ADI: Anti-vivisection groups unite to urge MEPs: 'Don't sell the animals short'

Thursday, 26 March 2009 12:00 AM

Six leading animal protection groups have joined forces to urge key MEPs to vote for measures that would end laboratory secrecy and cruelty, as we approach a crucial vote to proposals to change the European laws on animal testing.

The six groups - Advocates for Animals, Animal Aid, Animal Defenders International, Dr Hadwen Trust, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Uncaged - have signed Open Letters to British MEPs who sit on the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee. This committee is playing the central role in developing the new Directive on animals in scientific experiments. In a crucial meeting on March 31st, these MEPs will vote on a series of proposals that will be key in determining the content of the final Directive.

Throughout the committee process, pro-vivisectionist lobbyists representing the primate trade and research industry have tabled amendments that can only be described as destructive. Much of the debate has been dominated by sweeping generalisations and scare mongering about scientific progress - arguments which do not stand up to scientific scrutiny.

The six anti-vivisectionist groups have joined together to urge MEPs to stand firm and not to bow to pressure from those with vested interests who are resisting all change and control.

ADI Chief Executive, Jan Creamer says: "I urge members of the Agriculture Committee to vote for amendments to the Directive that can make a significant move towards ending animal suffering, whilst improving investment for development of advanced scientific research techniques that don't use animals. The draft reports contains amendments that would seriously jeopardise protection for animals in laboratories. Without positive changes these regulations could undermine protection for animals and destroy years of progress. These key MEPs have a chance to listen to the demands of the British public and vote for 21st century research that is both scientifically robust, and ethically sound. "

ENDS

For further information, contact ADI Public Relations Officer, Ally MacDonald
Office Tel: 020 7630 3344. Email: pr@ad-international.org

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The vote in the Agriculture Committee (AGRI) takes place on Tuesday 31st March, 2009.

The open letter to the Head of the Agriculture Committee, Neil Parish, is available at the bottom of this release.

The full text of the proposal to revise 86 609 EEC (released on November 5th, 2008) which governs the rules on all animal testing across Europe is available here:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2008:0543:FIN:EN:PDF

The ADI/NAVS 'Vision for Europe' report, giving a breakdown of the proposals and calls for amendments, is available here:
http://www.savetheprimates.org/files/adivisionforeurope.pdf

Examples of alternatives to animal-based research methods:

Microdosing:
The European Union Microdose AMS Partnership Programme (EUMAPP) has had very positive results with microdosing/AMS proving to be 80% predictive of human absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. This is considerably more accurate than primate tests, where results are shown to be predictive only 30% of the time.

Neuroimaging:
Another emerging and developing area of research, which is offering an effective alternative to the use of monkeys. A new provision for regular thematic reviews under Article 8 of the proposed Directive would enable assessment and implementation of replacement strategies for primates in neuroscience, and indeed, in regulatory testing

Computer based alternatives in higher education:
Another field where considerable advances have been made in some European countries - as well as even further afield, such as China and Brazil. This is a sector where the implementation of a thematic review (under Article 53) could save 200,000 animals per year and potentially many, many more. These new teaching programmes have been demonstrated to both replace animals and provide science students with an excellent education, and sophisticated knowledge and skills for the future.

Animal Defenders International (ADI)
With offices in London, San Francisco and Bogota, Animal Defenders International (ADI) campaigns to protect animals in entertainment, replacement of animals in experiments; worldwide traffic in endangered species; vegetarianism; factory farming; pollution and conservation. ADI also rescues animals in distress worldwide. Our evidence has led to campaigns and legislative action all over the world to protect them. www.ad-international.org

An Open Letter To Neil Parish MEP (Chairman of the Agriculture Committee)

From Advocates for Animals, Animal Aid, Animal Defenders International, Dr Hadwen Trust, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Uncaged
25th March 2009

Dear Mr Parish MEP,
As the lead member of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, you have a key role in shaping the new law that will govern animal experiments across the European Union. The way you vote on March 31st could determine the fate of millions of animals.

You have already taken the extremely positive and welcome step of signing Written Declaration 40/2007 - which called for an end to the use of great apes and wild caught monkeys, as well as a timetabled phase-out of the use of all primates. We thank you for endorsing this important, ethical initiative. The Commission has also recognised that primate use is a matter of grave concern and introduced measures to reflect the Declaration in its proposal.

However, your draft report contained amendments that would seriously jeopardise protection for animals in laboratories. We know that there are powerful industry lobbyists working in Europe whose aim is to minimise regulation of animal experiments, which they portray as 'unnecessary red tape'. However, we would urge you to take a principled stand when voting commences.

In particular, we urge you to support:
. A ban on the use of great apes and wild caught monkeys, and a timetabled phase-out of the use of
. F1 (first generation to be born in captivity) monkeys.
. All amendments that ensure that primate experiments are regularly and thematically reviewed, with a view to establishing timetables to end them.
. Independent scrutiny of all experiments before they are undertaken.
. All amendments that would lead to greater transparency and accountability.
. All amendments that would improve and enforce data sharing.
. All amendments that ensure replacement of animals is at the heart of this Directive, including those seeking to establish national and EU centres for alternative methods.

On behalf of a public that wants progressive, state-of-the-art, animal-free science, thank you for doing all you can to support animal protection measures.

Response from Neil Parish MEP

"I am supportive of the ultimate aims outlined in this letter and it was for this reason that I volunteered to take on this report and try to improve the welfare of laboratory animals around the EU. Throughout this report, I have actively tried to strengthen the development of alternative testing methods wherever it has been possible, as I believe the key to ending animal experimentation is by making it obselete through the development of better and cheaper alternative methods."

"Unfortunately, we are not yet at the position where alternatives can replace all animal tests and I strongly believe that we have to ensure that medical research can take place until we reach that time. However, I am very interested in the proposals I have received for a regular thematic review of primate experiments with a view to eliminating those that are not essential for medical research."

"The report I have proposed is a huge step forward for the protection of laboratory animals. I understand that for some this report does not go far enough, but it is already a huge improvement on the current EU rules."

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