BUAV: Leading animal protection groups condemn provisional agreement on new European animal experiments law
Thursday, 3 June 2010 12:00 AM
The ECEAE (European Coalition to End Animal Experiments) has today strongly condemned an agreement reached by the 27 EU member states on what a new animal experiments law should look like.
Describing the document as a 'huge missed opportunity', the coalition highlighted these points:
Contrary to all the rhetoric from politicians, the document, if it became the new law, would actually severely weaken the existing rules about researchers having to use alternatives to animals wherever possible
Individual member states will not be able to adopt stricter animal protection rules in future, as public opinion and scientific knowledge develops
The supposed upper limit on permissible suffering is so badly drafted that it is likely to be meaningless in practice.
Large number of experiments will not have to undergo proper scrutiny by governments
The document is completely out of step with public opinion, for example with regard to the use of primates, transparency and the reasons for which animals can be used
The process will now go back to the European Parliament. The ECEAE will be pressing MEPs to insist on their earlier amendments on key issues such as non-animal alternatives.
Chief Executive of the ECEAE, Michelle Thew states: "The truth is that under this document animals will continue to be experimented on, in large numbers, for reasons which have nothing to do with finding cures for diseases - such as the safety testing of non-essential products and curiosity-driven research. We are extremely disappointed that an opportunity to improve animal welfare and place greater restrictions on animal experimentation has so far been lost. We urge MEPs to stand by their convictions."
ENDS
For further information, please contact Carla Owen at carla.owen@buav.org or telephone +44 (0) 207 700 4888
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