New EU rules on animal testing

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 13:38

On Tuesday 11 May, the Council of the European Union agreed on a draft directive for the protection of over 12 million animals used for scientific purposes every year in the EU.  The revision of EU Directive 86/609 brings both good and bad news for laboratory animals.

The new provisions include:
• ensuring that experiments with animals are replaced, wherever possible, by an alternative method which is scientifically satisfactory
• reducing the number of animals used in projects to a minimum
• limiting the degree of pain and suffering caused to animals to the minimum
• a ban on the use on wild-caught non-human primates for scientific purposes
• a ban of the use of great apes such as chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans for scientific purposes

However, these new provisions aren’t clear cut. Non-human primates will continue to be used in experiments, but only if they are the offspring of animals which have been bred in captivity or if they are from self-sustaining colonies. Although experiments with great apes will be prohibited, an exception will remain allowing their use if there are “justifiable reasons” for believing that it is essential for the survival of the species itself or because of an unexpected outbreak of a life-threatening or debilitating disease in human beings.

With the number of scientific experiments on animals continually rising, specifically in Scotland where last year there was a 42% increase in experiments, it is crucial that their use is completely phased out. Although the new Directive is a step in the right direction, Advocates for Animals remains concerned that the new EU law does not fully reflect the high level of public concern about the use of animals in experiments and does not go far enough in promoting the use of non-animal alternatives.

A final adoption of the Council position will take place in early June and the new Directive will replace legislation that is currently over 23 years old.

Meantime, we can all help to reduce experimentation on animals by choosing to buy animal-friendly products such as cosmetics and household products. Why not check out a few here.