COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(94) 195 final 
Brussels, 27.05.1994 
FIRST REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 
TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 
ON THE STATISTICS ON THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS USED FOR 
EXPERIMENTAL 
AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES 
-2 
CONTENTS 
I. Introduction p.3 
II. Statistics p.4 
1. General p.4 
2. Situation in the Member States p.6 
Belgium p.6 
Denmark p.7 
Germany p.9 
Spain p.15 
France p.21 
Greece p.28 
Ireland p.34 
Italy p.37 
Luxembourg p.39 
Netherlands p.40 
Portugal p.46 
United Kingdom p.51 
3. General conclusions p.58 
-3-
I. Introduction 
The objective of this report is to implement Articles 13 and 26 of 
Directive 86/609/EEC1 by informing the Council and Parliament of the number of 
animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes in the Member States in 
1991. 
To achieve this, the Commission asked the authorities responsible for implementing 
Directive 86/609/EEC to supply statistics for 1991. 
Since the Directive contains no model tables for the statistics the Commission agreed 
with the competent authorities to use the models adopted in the Council of Europe 
Convention. * • 
This exercise marks the first stage of research based on the compilation of statistics 
already familiar to the parties to the Council of Europe Convention, including the 
Community countries. 
Nevertheless, the Commission and the Member States considered that a number of 
changes were needed to make these tables clearer. Adjustments were made to produce 
improved tables with a different layout. These will be applied initially by selected 
Member States on a trial basis before being used as widely as possible in the 
Commission's next report to the Council and Parliament. 
Official Journal No L 358, 18.12.1986. 
-4-
II. STATISTICS 
1. General 
The Member States undertook to supply the Commission with the 1991 statistics, on the 
tables adopted by the Council of Europe, by 30 March 1993 at the latest. 
For some Member States, nationwide collection of the statistics provided for by 
Directive 86/609/EEC was an unprecedented exercise. 
The Commission therefore had numerous problems with harmonization of the data 
gathered and found it impossible to produce fully consistent, transparent 
Community-wide figures. 
Also, the Commission has published the figures as supplied by the Member States 
without any changes. 
Nevertheless, it has attempted to draw conclusions on the information supplied by each 
Member State, irrespective of the year covered or the number of tables completed. 
Some of the figures in the tables from certain Member States appear incorrect. These 
are not simple miscalculations but misinterpretations by certain laboratories about how 
to complete the various tables. This is particularly true of the countries in which this 
data-gathering was a new activity. 
5-
Another important point is that the national figures do not give the full picture since 
many laboratories were unable to complete the tables or failed to return them to the 
authorities. 
The principal reason for making this point is to avoid all possible misunderstandings 
about the significance of the apparent increase in the number of animals used likely to 
be revealed in future reports, because the 1991 data were incomplete. 
It must also be remembered that this isrthe first time that the Commission has published 
statistics from the Member States on the number of animals used in such procedures. 
This explains the absence of any comparison with previous years in this report. 
However, this first report will provide the Commission with reference data allowing 
more detailed comments in its netff report. 
In particular, it will then be possible ta assess the trend in the total number of animals 
used and to draw conclusions about the species chosen (Table 1). Tables 2, 3 and 4 in 
turn will allow assessment of the trends in the numbers of animals used for selected 
purposes, while Table 5 will reveal developments in procedures required by law. 
It is therefore essential, particularly for interpretation of Tables 2, 3 and 4 (on selected 
purposes), for the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods 
(ECVAM) to play an effective role in publication of the results and to use them to 
determine future policy on the development of alternative methods. 
•*•/ 
-6 
2. Situation in the Member States 
Belgium 
Belgium was unable to supply statistics since the relevant basic legislation has yet to be 
adopted. 
Denmark 
The Danish Ministry of Justice is responsible for administrative and legislative matters 
concerning the use of animals for research purposes. It could only supply data for 
Table 1 in the Council of Europe Convention. 
(2) 
TABLE 1 (Denmark) 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1991 
KIND OF ANIMAL NUMBER 
Mice (Mus musculus) 187 627 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 87 083 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 8 162 
Other rodents 3 247 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) _ 6 299 
Apes (Hominoidea) 
Other simians (Cercopithecoidea-Ceboidea) 
Prosimians (Prosimia) 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 332 
Cats (Felis catus) 138 
Other carnivores 0 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds (Equidae) 32 
Pigs (Sus) 2 110 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 135 
r 
Cattle (Bos) 221 
Other mammals 403 
Birds (Aves) 122 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 
8 370 Amphibians (Amphibia) 
Fish (Pisces) 
TOTAL 304 370 
ANIMALS USED IN PROCEDURES DURING 1991. FjPPEtfbj: x 
MAIN TYPE PROCEDURES 
A. Behavioural, stress induced studies 
8. Biological control studies 
C. Denratological studies 
0. Nutritiorial/netabolism studies 
E. Pharmacodynamic studies 
F. Pharmacokinetic studies 
j G.Studies on effects of physical influera 
H. Immunological studies 
I. Infecticn-pBtnological studies 
J. Studies en effects of climate 
K. Organ-firction studies 
L. Toxicological studies 
M. Turorirdijcticn/transplantation 
N. Others 
Total 
Animals not used for experimental 
and other scientific purposes: Mice 
45.577 
33.712 
1.190 
30 
35.094 
2.055 
13.032 
5.253 
1.495 
18.632 
20.033 
11.524 
187.627 
74.175 Rats 
4.937 
37.814 
4.992 
11.555 
2.9^5 
601 
2.701 
532 
6.231 
5.842 
2.123 
6.830 
87.083 
29.858 Guinea-
Pigs 
2.915 
329 
1.203 
592 
798 
84 
2.086 
139 Other 
Rodents 
632 
1 
2.440 
38 
31 
63 
30 
12 
16 
8.162 
4.671 3.247 
622 Rabbits 
50 
821 
16 
572 
97 
1.141 
199 
402 
724 
2.277 
6.299 
3.928 Apes 
9 
16 
11 
9 
4 
15 
25 
89 
7 Dogs 
29 
23 
4 
8 
67 
173 
28 
332 
6 Cats 
44 
43 
14 
37 
138 
. 2 Horses 
6 
26 
32 
4 Pigs 
27 
165 
33 
103 
216 
219 
49 
316 
637 
89 
256 
2.110 
465 Goats 
Sheep 
17 
2 
25 
14 
77 
135 
1 Cattle 
88 
10 
3 
76 
13 
3 
28 
221 
157 Other 
Marmals 
24 
123 
8 
60 
5 
118 
55 
AQ 
403 
1534 Birds 
38 
50 
9 
25 
122 
6508 Other 
Verte­
brates 
200 
5453 
2500 
117 
10 
90 
8370^ 
370 O^ 
? 
x) Mostly fish in connection with examination and treatment of fish infectious diseases. 
Germany 
The tables supplied by Germany differ on various points from the models adopted by the 
Council of Europe. Details are given in the comments submitted with the statistics by the 
German authorities. 
10 
TABLE^tsrewttaay) . 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1991 * 
KIND OF ANIMAL NUMBER 
Mice (Mus musculus) 1223 741 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 611 530 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 101 842 
Other rodents 25 905 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 70 228 
Apes (Hominoidea) 5 
Other simians (Cercopithecoidea-Ceboidea) 1 547 
Prosimians (Prosimia) 116 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 6 517 
Cats (Felis catus) 1 921 
Other carnivores 228 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds (Equidae) 217 
Pigs (Sus) 12 158 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 2 690 
Cattle (Bos) 3 079 
Other mammals 286 
Birds (Aves) 87 621 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 124 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 6 568 
Fish (Pisces) 246 387 
TOTAL 2 402 710 
including the new "Laender" 
TABLE 2 (Germany) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes in 1991(1) 
All species Biological 
(including medical) 
studies of a 
fundamental nature 
315 453 Discovery, development 
and quality control 
(including safety 
evaluation) of products 
or appliances for human 
and veterinary medicine 
1 271 618 Diagnosis 
of disease 
(2) 
333 070 Protection of man, 
animals and the 
environment by 
toxicological or other 
safety evaluations (3) 
357 457 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and 
cats 
Primates 283 833 
1 246 
481 1 226 207 
5 581 
1 006 287 016 
989 
211 125 629 
253 
20 Education and 
training 
These data 
are not 
collected in 
Germany 
(1) including the new "Laender" 
(2) research into or control of methods of diagnosis, disease prevention or treatment only 
(3) including animals not used for safety evaluations in the strict sense of the term. 
TABLE 3(Germany) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes for the protection of man, animals 
and the environment by toxicological or other safety evaluations in 1991(1) 
Further classification of column 4 of Table 2 (2) 
All species 
Selected 
species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in AGRICULTURE 
51 087 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in INDUSTRY Substances used' 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in HOUSEHOLDS Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as COSMETICS 
and TOILETRIES Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as additives in 
food for human 
consumption 
70 456 Potential or 
actual hazards 
of contaminants 
in the general 
environment 
235 914 
37 350 
184 
20 49 614 
34 
o 38 665 
35 
0 
pa 
(1) including the new "Laender" 
(2) the data for columns 2 to 5 are not gathered separately in Germany. 
TABLE 5 (Germany) 
The number of animals used in procedures required by law in 1991(1 
All species Party only (2) Other parties only(3) Both (4) 
841 716 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 758 913 
3 694 
864 
(1) including the new "Laender" 
(2) procedures required by German law 
(3) procedures required by the law of the other parties to the Council of Europe Convention 
(4) procedures required by German law and by the law of the other parties to the Council of Europe Convention 
These figures are exclusively for the procedures required by law for the notification or authorization of substances and 
products 
14-
COMMENTS BY GERMANY ON THE RESULTS 
The statistics include the new Lander. 
The data for column 5 in Table 2 (education and training) and 
for Table 4 (on the number of animals used in procedures 
concerned with diseases and disorders) are not collected in 
Germany. 
This is a result of the reservation entered by Germany 
concerning Article 27(2) at the time of signature of the Council 
of Europe Convention of 18 March 1986 for the protection of 
vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific 
purposes. 
(3) 
- 15-
Spain 
The statistics supplied by Spain are generally based on the 
models adopted by the Council of Europe. 
- 16-
TABLE 1(Spain) 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1991 
KIKD OF ANIMAL NUMBER 
Mice (Mus musculus) 313 250 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 135 659 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 17 464 
Other rodents [ 1 201 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 17 307 
Apes (Hominoidea) 0 
Other simians (Cercopithecoidea-Ceboidea) 7 
Prosimians (Prosimia) 18 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 14 97 
Cats (Felis catus) 96 
Other carnivores 70 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds (Equidae) 5 
Pigs (Sus) 1 109 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 728 
Cattle (Bos) 74 
Other mammals 0 
Birds (Aves) 69 018 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 0 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 390 
Fish (Pisces) 621 
TOTAL 558 823 
TABLE 2(Spain) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes in 1991 
-
All species Biological 
(including 
medical) studies 
of a fundamental 
nature 
74 762 Discovery, 
development and 
quality control 
(including safety 
evaluation) of 
products or 
appliances for 
human and 
veterinary 
medicine 
420 977 Diagnosis of 
disease 
15 913 Protection of man, 
animals and the 
environment by 
toxicological or 
other safety 
evaluations 
21 394 Education and 
training 
12 479 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 73 171 
678 
0 352 451 
690 
25 15 889 
0 
0 20 807 
14 
0 12 176 
211 
0 
V 
TABLE 3(Spain) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes for the protection of man, animals 
and the environment by toxicological or other safety evaluations in 1991 
All species Further classification of column 4 of Table 2 
Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in AGRICULTURE 
102 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in INDUSTRY 
1 965 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in HOUSEHOLDS 
15 641 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as COSMETICS 
and TOILETRIES 
2 036 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as additives in 
food for human 
consumption 
60 Potential or 
actual hazards 
of contaminants 
in the general 
environment 
251 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
.Dogs and cats 
Primates 102 
0 
0 1 412 
0 
0 15 615 
14 
0 2 028 
0 
0 60 
0 
0 251 
0 
0 
«& 
TABLE 4 (Spain) 
The number of animals used in procedures concerned with diseases and disorders in 1991 
All species Cancer (excluding 
evaluations of 
carcinogenic 
hazards) 
18 939 Cardiovascular 
diseases 
27 819 Nervous and 
mental disorders 
133 546 Other human and 
animal diseases 
230 389 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 17 886 
39 
0 27 157 
600 
0 133 615 
12 
18 162 945 
371 
7 
Note : When a procedure under any column from 2 to 4 covers cancer, the cancer classification 
should take precedence. 
-P 
TABLE 5(Spain) 
The number of animals used in procedures required by law in 1991 
All species Party only (1) 
148 632 Other parties only(2) 
858 Both (3) 
76 181 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 135 139 
94 
. 0 837 
21 
0 75 125 
445 
7 
(1) procedures required by Spanish law 
(2) procedures required by the law of the other parties to the Council of Europe Convention 
(3) procedures required by Spanish law and by the law of the other parties to the Council of 
Europe Convention 
G 
-21 
France 
France supplied statistics for 1990, although the tables differ 
from the models adopted by the Council of Europe on certain 
points. 
These are indicated in the tables. Some of these differences 
are explained in the comments from the French authorities. 
-22 
TABLE 1(France) 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1990 
KIND OF ANIMAL NUMBER % 
Mice (Mus mus cuius) 2 264 225 62,1 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 871 789 23, 9 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 147 495 4 
Golden hamsters (Mesocricetus 26 054 0,7 
auratus) 
Chinese hamsters (Cricetulus 356 <0, 1 
griseus) 
Other rodents 7 051 0-, 2 . 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 113 773 3,1 
Prosimians (Prosimii) 332 <0,1 
New World apes (Ceboidea) 448 <0,1 
Old World apes (Cercopithecoidea) 2 34 0 0,1 
Apes (Hominoidea) 12 <0,1 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 7 721 0, 2 
Cats (Felis catus) 2 808 0,1 
Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) 319 <0,1 
Other carnivores 247 <0,1 
Pigs (Sus) 15 467 0,4 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 4 261 0,1 
Cattle (Bos) 2 425 0,1 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds 258 <0,1 
(Equidae) 
Other mammals 392 <0,1 
Birds (Aves) 91 452 2,5 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 852 <0,1 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 30 690 0,8 
Fish (Pisces) 54 941 1,5 
TOTAL 3 645 708 100 
(4) 
TABLE 2 (France) 
The number of vertebrate animals used in 1990 by sector 
1.Basic research 
2.Discovery, 
development, quality 
control (including 
safety evaluation) of 
medicines, products or 
appliances for human 
medicine (1) 
3.Discovery, 
development, quality 
control (including 
safety evaluation) of 
medicines, products or 
appliances for 
veterinary medicine(1) 
4. Implementation of 
diagnosis of disease 
(2) 
5. Protection of man, 
animals and the 
environment (3) 
6. Education and 
training 
TOTAL Rodents 
1 048 915 
1 839 558 
105 314 
132 810 
54 541 
46 362 
3 227 500 Rabbits 
32 749 
56 669 
6 721 
2 039 
4 959 
3 228 
106 365 Dogs 
586 
5 025 
1 282 
0 
282 
5 
7 180 Cats 
967 
4 68 
1 353 
0 
0 
6 
2 794 Primates 
703 
2 231 
0 
1 
320 
0 
3 255 Other 
51 274 
14 343 
71 032 
14 191 
4 511 
14 808 
170 159 Total 
1 135 194 
1 918 294 
185 702 
149 041 
64 613 
64 409 
3 517 253 
(1) "Product" means medicines, vaccines, serums, substances used for medical check-ups or diagnoses,"materials employed in 
orthopaedics, odontology,etc. 
(2) "Implementation" means use of animals to establish a diagnosis of a patient, production of monoclonal or polyclonal 
antibodies, etc. 
(3) See Table 3 for details of the categories covered by this heading. 
TABLE 3 (France) 
Number of vertebrate animals used in 1990 for the protection of man, animals and the environment by 
toxicological or other safety evaluations (further classification of column 5 of Table 2) 
Substances 
used or 
intended to be 
used mainly... 
l.in • 
agriculture 
2. in industry 
3. in 
households 
4.as cosmetics 
or toiletries 
5.as additives 
in food for 
human 
consumption 
6.potential or 
actual hazards 
of 
contaminants 
in the general 
,environment(*) 
TOTAL 1 Rodents 
13 405 
23 415 
19 824 
15 386 
3 529 
3 048 
78 607 Rabbits 
1 123 
1 7 90 
606 
7 494 
0 
0 
11 013 Dogs 
90 
12 
0 
0 
0 
0 
102 Cats 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 Primates 
0 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 Other 
6 534 
2 047 
800 
4 457. 
0 
3 304 
17 142 TOTAL 
21 152 
27 264 
21 230 
27 337 
3 529 
6 352 
106 864 ^ 
*) including harmful radiation 
TABLE 4 (France) 
The number of vertebrate animals used in 1990 in human and veterinary medicine for fundamental 
research, research and development and quality control of products or appliances. 
Rodents Rabbits Dogs 1 Cats Primates Other TOTAL 
HUMAN MEDICINE 
1.CANCER 
(excluding 
evaluations of 
carcinogenic hazards) 
2.Cardiovascular 
diseases 
3.Nervous and mental 
disorders 
4.Other human 
diseases 180 938 
212 973 
735 256 
726 491 9 771 
12 442 
1 719 
21 021 688 
2 874 
444 
1 602 62 
336 
223 
96 401 
209 
553 
602 7 526 
1 808 
5 818 
2 360 199 386 
230 642 
744 013 
752 172 
VETERINARY MEDICINE 
5.Animal diseases 99 904 4 126 1 235 1 313 0 58 557 165 135 | 
TOTAL 
1+2+3+4+5 1 955 562 49 079 6 843 2 030 1 765 76 069 2 091 348 
TABLE 5 (France) 
The number of vertebrate animals used in 1990 in procedures required by law 
FRANCE only(l) 
E.E.C.(2) 
Non-EEC countries (3) 
TOTAL Rodents 
229 448 
471 528 
21 734 
722 710 Rabbits 
11 587 
18 044 
3 410 
33 041 Dogs 
581 
2 446 
409 
3 436 Cats 
75 
797 
0 
872 Primates 
543 
1 058 
122 
1 723 Other 
3 011 
5 932 
0 
8 943 TOTAL 
245 245 
499 805 
25 675 
770 725 
(1)Procedures required by French law 
(2)Procedures required by the law of other EEC countries 
(3)Procedures required by the law of non-EEC countries 
T5X 
27 
COMMENTS BY FRANCE ON THE RESULTS 
The vast majority (over 90%) of the animals used in 1990 were 
rodents. 
Comparison with the results of the 1984 survey revealed that: 
The total number of animals used was down by 24.6% for all 
species combined. 
There were big reductions in the number of dogs (26%) and 
cats (38%) used. 
Paradoxically, there has been an increase in demand for 
commercial species, particularly pigs, but also ruminants and 
fish. There are several reasons for this. For one thing the 
availability of smaller breeds of pig (miniature pigs) has 
encouraged scientists to use them instead of carnivores and 
primates wherever possible. For another, the INRA's 
laboratories, which use large numbers of pigs, sheep, goats and 
fish for quantitative genetic engineering, nutritional.science 
and animal husbandry, omitted these animals from the 1984 ' 
statistics since they were kept under normal livestock rearing 
conditions and were used only for non-invasive measurements 
(weight, feed consumption, etc.). 
Recent developments in research methods now call for more 
sophisticated biological analyses such as sampling of blood, 
biological" tissues, etc. which have brought these animals into 
the field covered by the Directive. 
Readers will note a discrepancy between the figures in line 5 
of Table 2 on "Protection of man, animals and the environment" 
and in the more detailed analysis in Table 3. Exhaustive 
analysis revealed that 20 major laboratories amongst the 665 
respondents had misunderstood how to complete Table 3. 
One final significant finding is the gradual introduction of 
alternative methods and the concomitant reduction in the number 
of animals used. 
-28 
Greece 
The statistics supplied by Greece were based generally on the 
models adopted by the Council of Europe. 
-29-
TABLE 1 (Greece) 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1991 
KIND OF ANIMAL NUMBER % 
Mice (Mus musculus) 17 146 . 67, 4 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 5 468 21,5 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 430 1, 7 
Other rodents • 0 0 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus 631 2,5 
cuniculus) ___ 
Apes (Hominoidea) 0 •___ 0__ 
Other simians 0 0 
(Cercopithecoidea-Ceboidea) 
Prosimians (Prosimia) 0 0 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 5 <0, 1 
Cats (Felis catus) 0 0 
Other carnivores 0_ ^ 0_ 
Horses, donkeys and cross- 1 <0,1 
breds (Equidae) ^ 
Pigs (Sus) 95 0,3 
Goats and sheep (Capra & 105 0,4 
ovis) \ . 
Cattle (Bos) 0 0__ 
Other mammals 0 0 
Birds (Aves) • __ 228^ 0,9 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 0 0__ 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 1 330 5,2 
Fish (Pisces) 0 0_ 
TOTAL . 25 439 100 
TABLE 2 (Greece) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes in 1991 
All species Biological 
(including 
medical) studies 
of a fundamental 
nature 
13 195 Discovery, 
development and 
quality control 
(including safety 
evaluation) of 
products or 
appliances for 
human and 
veterinary 
medicine 
5 244 Diagnosis of 
disease 
4 419 Protection of man, 
animals and the 
environment by 
toxicological or 
other safety 
evaluations 
536 Education and 
training 
1 771 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 
i— ., ' 13 187 
5 
0 5 061 
0 
0 4 197 
0 
0 522 
0 
0 435 
0 
0 
0 
TABLE 3 (Greece) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes for the protection of man, animals 
and the environment by toxicological or other safety evaluations in 1991 
All species 
Selected 
species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates Further classification of column 4 of Table 2 
Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in AGRICULTURE 
342 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in INDUSTRY 
20 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in HOUSEHOLDS 
0 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as COSMETICS 
and TOILETRIES 
0 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as additives in 
food for human 
consumption 
0 Potential or 
actual hazards 
of contaminants 
in the general 
environment 
174 
342 
0 
0 20 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 160 
0 
0 ^ 
TABLE 4 (Greece) 
The number of animals used in procedures concerned with diseases and disorders in 1991 
All species Cancer (excluding 
evaluations of 
carcinogenic hazards) 
6 033 Cardiovascular 
diseases 
222 Nervous and mental 
disorders 
1 237 Other human and animal 
diseases 
4 100 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 6033 
0 
0 222 
0 
0 1 237 
0 
0 3 686 
5 
0 
TABLE 5 (Greece) 
The number of animals used in procedures required by law in 1991 
All species Party only (1) 
2 040 Other parties only(2) 
0 Both (3) 
0 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 2 040 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 
(1) procedures required by Greek law 
(2) procedures required by the law of the other parties to the Council of Europe Convention 
(3) procedures required by Greek law and by the law of the other parties to the Council of 
Europe Convention 
-34 
Ireland 
The tables submitted by Ireland differ from the models adopted 
by the Council of Europe. 
TABLE 1 (Ireland) 
The number of animals used in procedures in 1991 
Kind of 
animal 
Mice 
Rats 
Guinea pigs 
Other rodents 
Rabbits 
Dogs 
Cats 
Donkeys 
Horses 
Pigs 
Cattle 
Sheep 
Other mammals 
Birds 
Other 
amphibians 
TOTAL Number of 
procedures 
Injec­
tions 
1 594 
1 077 
55 
226 
672 
0 
0 
1 
5 
4 
1 367 
10 522 
256 
0 
0 
15 779 Other 
196 
1 395 
13 
18 
295 
38 
17 
0 
13 
91 
2 897 
172 
252 
17 
4 
5 418 Number of 
animals 
used 
17 550 
3 053 
423 
249 
1 112 
45 
17 
10 
24 
153 
1 488 
990 
37 
44 
4 
25 199 With 
anesthe­
sia 
(licence 
only) 
246 
933 
0 
77 
90 
2 
17 
0 
3 
78 
0 
0 
0 
44 
4 
1 494 Without 
anesthesia 
(licence 
only) 
16 941 
1 809 
415 
172 
935 
0 
0 
10 
11 
32 
1434 
764 
37 
• 0 
' 0 
22 560 With 
anesthe­
sia but 
with 
permitted 
recovery 
(Cert.B) 
363 
311 
8 
0 
87 
43 
0 
0 
10 
43 
54 
226 
0 
0 
0 
1 145 Demonstra­
tions 
(Cert.C) 
201 
52 
0 
0 
6 
2 
0 
0 
0 
0 
8 
0 
0 
0 
4 
„.| 
TABLE 2 (Ireland) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes in 1991 
Purpose of the 
procedure 
Development of 
products used 
in medicine 
Development of 
products used 
in veterinary 
medicine 
Diagnosis of 
disease 
Study ^of 
cardiovascular 
diseases 
Study of 
cancer 
Study of 
mental 
disorders 
Other diseases 
Education and 
training 
Other purposes 
TOTAL 
1 Kind of animal 
Rodents 
and 
rabbits 
12 176 
207 
270 
245 
334 
2385 
608 
3 984 
2 178 
22 387 Dogs 
and 
cats 
0 
0 
0 
22 
0 
0 
9 
17 
14 
62 Horses, 
donkeys 
and other 
livestock 
260 
59 
534 
0 
0 
0 
43 
675 
1 094 
2 665 Primates 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 Other 
31 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
11 
0 
43 
85 TOTAL 
12 467 
266 
804 
267 
334 
2 385 
671 
4 676 
3 329 
25 199 
37-
Italy 
The tables submitted by Italy differ from the models adopted 
by the Council of Europe. 
Also, the official data are incomplete, as explained in the 
table below. 
TABLE 1 (Italy) 
The number of animals used in procedures in 1990, 1991 and 1992 
Species or group 
of species 
Rats 
Mice 
Guinea pigs 
Hamsters 
Rabbits 
Dogs 
Cats 
Pigs 
Goats and sheep 
Others 
-1990 
Official data 
239 915 
169 153 
13 109 
1 400 
7 484 
934 
265 
300 
3 
Primates 100 
Ferrets 10 
Minipigs 50 
Marmosets 150 Official data 
plus 50%* 
359 872 
253 729 
19 663 
2 100 
11 226 
1 301 
398 
450 
4,50 1991 
Official data 
321 635 
294 345 
20 696 
15 760 
28 754 
1 144 
325 
155 
5 
Primates 155 
Minipigs 183 
Marmosets 136 Offical data 
plus 40%* 
450 289 
412 083 
28 974 
22 064 
40 255 
1 601 
465 
217 
7 
. 
, 1992 
Official data 
362 629 
453 495 
68 487 
12 960 
79 603 
10 270 
468 
601 
1 265 
Primates 1 455 
Horses 140 
Frogs 590 
• Sheep 19 
Buffalo 11 
Chickens 390 Official 
data plus 
30%* 
471 417 
589 543 
88 033 
16 848 
103 483 
13 351 
608 
841 
* The official data from the Ministry of Health are incomplete since certain companies and 
laboratories failed to send it their statistics. The Ministry therefore made rough estimates 
for each year providing a more realistic picture. 
-39-
Luxembourg 
No statistics were received from Luxembourg 
40 
The Netherlands 
The tables submitted provided full statistics and are based 
on the model. 
-41 -
TABLE 1 (The Netherlands) 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1991 
KIND OF ANIMAL Number 
Mice (Mus musculus) 378 834 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 286 276 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 19 044 
Other rodents 9 384 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 13 060 
Primates * 611 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 2 07 8 
Cats (Felis catus) 542 
Other carnivores 407 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds (Equidae) 151 
Pigs (Sus) 7 876 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 1 796 
Cattle (Bos) 2 38 6 
Other mammals 71 
Birds (Aves) 90 676 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 162 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 4 810 
Fish (Pisces) 57 894 
TOTAL 876 058 
* including apes, other simians and prosimians 
TABLE 2 (The Netherlands) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes in 1991 
All species Biological 
(including 
medical) studies 
of a fundamental 
nature 
433 417 Discovery, 
development and 
quality control 
(including safety 
evaluation) of 
products or 
appliances for 
human and 
veterinary 
medicine 
332 974 Diagnosis of 
disease 
22 041 Protection of man, 
animals and the 
environment by 
toxicological or 
other safety 
evaluations 
73 283 Education and 
training 
14 343 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits' 
Dogs and cats 
Primantes 366 570 
1 527 
511 284 676 
988 
96 21 317 
0 
0 24 994 
97 
0 9 041 
501 
4 
no 
TABLE 3 (The Netherlands) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes for the protection of man, animals 
and the environment by toxicological or other safety evaluations in 1991 
Further classification of column 4 of Table 2 
Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in AGRICULTURE Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in INDUSTRY Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in HOUSEHOLDS Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as COSMETICS 
and TOILETRIES Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as additives in 
food for human 
consumption Potential or 
actual hazards 
of contaminants 
in the general 
environment 
All species 16 191 23 622 248 1 095 32 127 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 2 252 
66 
0 15 488 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 248 
0 
0 1 043 
0 
0 6 963 
31 
0 
\^ 
TABLE 4 (The Netherlands) 
The number of animals used in procedures concerned with diseases and disorders in 1991 
All species Cancer (excluding 
evaluations of 
carcinogenic hazards) 
108 205 Cardiovascular 
diseases 
21 739 Nervous and mental 
disorders 
11 907 Other human and animal 
diseases 
150 550 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 108 005 
61 
82 20 665 
248 
0 11 728 
92 
16 135 926 
450 
326 
I 
£-
TABLE 5 (The Netherlands) 
The number of animals used in procedures required by law in 1991 
All species Party only (1) 
13 288 Other parties only(2) 
1 673 Both (3) 
201 238 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 10 164 
10 
1 391 
11 
0 166 527 
444 
26 
.1) procedures required by Dutch law 
2) procedures required by the law of the other parties to the Council of Europe Convention 
3) procedures required by Dutch law and by the law of the other parties to the Council of 
Europe Convention 
V^ 
46-
Portugal 
The tables submitted by Portugal are based on the models 
adopted by the Council of Europe. However, the data are 
incomplete as not all laboratories sent the Portuguese 
authorities their results. Two other points to note are that 
Table 5 is missing and that the data refer to 1992. 
-47 
TABLE 1 (Portugal) 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1992 
KIND OF ANIMAL NUMBER 
Mice (Mus musculus) 72 599 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 2 944 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 3 412 
Other rodents 1 675 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 2 180 
Apes (Hominoidea) 0 
Other simians (Cercopithecoidea-Ceboidea) 0 
Prosimians (Prosimia) 1 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) . 123 
Cats (Felis catus) 0 
Other carnivores 0 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds (Equidae) 3 
Pigs (Sus) 779 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 716 
Cattle (Bos) 530 
Other mammals 0 
Birds (Aves) 1 398 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 4 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 553 
Fish (Pisces*) 200 
TOTAL 87 117 
TABLE 2 (Portugal) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes in 1992 
All species Biological 
(including 
medical) studies 
of a fundamental 
nature 
12 677 Discovery, 
development and 
quality control 
(including safety 
evaluation) of 
products or 
appliances for 
human and 
veterinary 
medicine 
3 161 Diagnosis of 
disease 
4 905 Protection of man, 
animals and the 
environment by 
toxicological or 
other safety 
evaluations 
528 Education and 
training 
413 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 10726 
33 
1 64 435 
3 
0 4 348 
10 
0 428 
0 
0 333 
17 
0 
oo 
TABLE 3 (Portugal) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes for the protection of man, 
animals and the environment by toxicological or other safety evaluations in 1992 
All species Further classification of column 4 of Table 2 
Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in AGRICULTURE 
98 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in INDUSTRY 
52 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in HOUSEHOLDS 
0 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as COSMETICS 
and TOILETRIES 
0 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as additives in 
food for human 
consumption 
280 Potential or 
actual hazards 
of contaminants 
in the general 
environment 
100 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 98 
0 
0 52 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 280 
0 
0 0 
0 
0 
TABLE 4 (Portugal) 
The number of animals used in procedures concerned with diseases and disorders in 1992 
All species Cancer (excluding 
evaluations of 
carcinogenic hazards) 
3 977 Cardiovascular 
diseases 
223 Nervous and mental 
disorders 
0 Other human and animal 
diseases 
5 490 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 3 977 
0 
0 214 
8 
1 100 
0 
0 5 300 
21 
0 
0 
-51 
United Kingdom 
The tables supplied by the United Kingdom are based on the 
models adopted by the Council of Europe. However, Table 5 is 
incomplete, as explained in the comments from the UK 
authorities. 
-52-
TABLE 1 (United Kingdom) 
The number and kinds of animals used in procedures in 1991 
KIND OF ANIMAL NUMBER 
Mice (Mus musculus) 1 694 505 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 872 622 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 129 158 
Other rodents 19 707 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) ' 44 442 
Apes (Hominoidea) 0 
Other simians (Cercopithecoidea-Ceboidea) 2 727 
Prosimians (Prosimia) 1 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 7 620 
Cats (Felis catus) 2 807 
Other carnivores 3 002 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds (Equidae) 643 
Pigs (Sus) 8 335 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 14 910 
Cattle (Bos) 6 041 
Other mammals ^ 1 808 
Birds (Aves) 227 972 
Reptiles (Reptilia) 11 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 13 530 
Fish (Pisces) 131 927 
TOTAL 3 181 768 
TABLE 2 (United Kingdom) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes in 1991 
Biological 
(including 
medical) studies 
of a fundamental 
nature Discovery, 
development and 
quality control 
(including safety 
evaluation) of 
products or 
appliances for 
human and 
veterinary 
medicine Diagnosis of 
disease Protection of man, 
animals and the 
environment by 
toxicological or 
other safety 
evaluations Education and 
training 
All species 633 197 1 514 954 26 770 250 304 12 010 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 548 907 
1 670 
479 1 391 084 
7 323 
1 938 22 4 65 
6 
0 179 221 
812 
251 9 049 
36 
0 
TABLE 3 (United Kingdom) 
The number of animals used in procedures for selected purposes for the protection of man, 
animals and the environment by toxicological or other safety evaluations in 1991 
All species Further classification of column 4 of Table 2 
Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in AGRICULTURE 
75 834 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in INDUSTRY 
85 316 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
in HOUSEHOLDS 
1 789 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as COSMETICS 
and TOILETRIES 
3 082 Substances used 
or intended to 
be used mainly 
as additives in 
food for human 
consumption 
10 855 Potential or 
actual hazards 
of contaminants 
in the general 
environment 
58 459 
Selected species 
Rodents and 
rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 61 267 
633 
0 82 8 62 
44 
0 1 789 
0 
0 3 082 
0 
0 10 715 
105 
0 11 815 
0 
0 
[A 
TABLE 4 (United Kingdom)' 
The number of animals used in procedures concerned with diseases and disorders in 1991 
All species Cancer (excluding 
evaluations of 
carcinogenic hazards) 
182 681 Cardiovascular 
diseases 
220 367 Nervous and mental 
disorders 
544 806 Other human and animal 
diseases 
1 382 622 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 
Dogs and cats 
Primates 181 924 
51 
186 198 621 
3 363 
411 520 866 
1 073 
496 1 211 289 
4 430 
1 444 
VA 
TABLE 5 (United Kingdom) 
The number of animals used in procedures required by law in 1991 
All species All countries (1 
665 830 
Selected species 
Rodents and rabbits 355 999 
Dogs and cats 3 569 
Primates 1 284 
1) procedures required by UK and international law 
57-
COMMENTS BY THE UNITED KINGDOM ON THE RESULTS 
1. The. figures for Great Britain and Northern Ireland have 
been combined. 
2. The returns relate to "animals" rather than "procedures" 
as required by the Convention. All the GB figures use 
animals but some of the Northern Ireland figures are based 
on procedures. This introduces an insignificant error 
because total Northern Ireland use is only 0.5% of the UK 
total. 
3. In Table 4, Column 2, the figures include both 
cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. It was 
impossible to distinguish between these categories in 
these returns at present. 
4. In Table 5, it was impossible to distinguish between the 
various categories of legal requirement set out in the 
Convention tables. Only a single figure could be given 
for all procedures performed for a legislative purpose. 
58 
3. General conclusions 
The summary table set out below has been developed by Commission 
services on the basis of Table 1 submitted by the Member States. 
The statistical data concerning the number of animals used for 
experimental and other scientific purposes in Belgium and in 
Luxembourg do not appear in the table. 
Indeed these two countries have not been able to submit the 
required information because they have not taken the necessary 
legal steps allowing them to collect the data. 
Moreover, the statistical data submitted by certain Member 
States is not complete. It can thus be considered that the 
actual total number of animals used is higher than the -number 
mentioned in the summary table. 
On that subject, it should be noted that for several Member 
States, nationwide collection of statistical data had never been 
undertaken before. 
Presumably, a certain number of laboratories were not or could 
not be contacted and questioned about the number and species of 
animals used. 
This brings us to conclude that it is very likely that the 
future statistical report, which will eventually become a 
routine exercise, will indicate an increase of the total number 
of animals used. 
Quite obviously, this will be due to the improvement of the data 
collection system. 
The objective of the report will then be to determine how and 
why laboratory animals are used in Member States and to design 
trends which occur over a specific period of time. 
However, this exercise will only be possible once the 
statistical data submitted by Member States is complete and 
systematically collected. 
On the other hand, a general tendency towards the reduction of 
the number of animals used as well as the reduction of pain 
caused to these animals is to be noticed within the European 
Union and in other countries of the world. 
This is partly due to the development and introduction of 
alternative methods to animal experimentation. 
» 
It is also to be expected that, as ECVAM becomes better 
established and more operational, its activities will be 
complementary to those initiated in the Member States in view 
of the three R's principle, i.e: "Reduction, Refinement and 
Replacement". 
The total number of animals used in 1991 (1) in the Member States (2 
Species or group of species 
Mice (Mus musculus) 
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) 
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) 
Other rodents 
Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) 
Apes (Hominoidea) 
Other simians (Cercopithecoidea-
Ceboidea) 
Prosimians (Prosimia) 
Dogs (Canis familiaris) 
Cats (Fells catus) 
Other carnivores 
Horses, donkeys and cross-breds 
(Equidae) 
Pigs (Sus) 
Goats and sheep (Capra & ovis) 
Cattle (Bos) 
Other mammals 
Birds (Aves) 
Reptiles {Reptilia} 
Amphibians (Amphibia) 
Fish (Pisces) 
TOTAL Number 
Germany 
1 223 741 
611 53ô 
lui 842 
25 905 
70 226 
5 
1 547 
116 
6 5l7 
I 921 
22à 
217 
12 158 
2 690 
5 679 
286 
87 621 
124 
è 568 
246 387 
2 402 710 Denmark 
1Ô7 627 
07 683 
6 162 
3 247 
6 299 
89 
332 
138 
0 
32 
2 iiô 
135 
221 
463 
122 
8 370 
304 370 Spain 
313 250 
135 659 
17 4 «54 
1 201 
17 307 
0 
7 
16 
1 497 
96 
7ô 
5 
1 109 
728 
74 
0 
69 018 
0 
390 
621 
558 823 France 
2 264 225 
87l 789 
147 495 
33 461 
113 773 
12 
2 788 
332 
7 721 
2 808 
566 
258 
15 467 
4 261 
2 425 
392 
91 452 
852 
30 69Ô 
54 94Ï 
3 645 708 Greece 
17 l46 
5 46Ô 
430 
0 
631 
0 
0 
0 
5 
0 
0 
1 
95 
105 
0 
0 
228 
0 
i 336 
0 
25 439 Ireland 
17 55o 
3 053 
423 
249 
i 112 
45 
17 
34 
153 
990 
1 488 
37 
44 
4 
25 199 Italy 
321 635 
294 345 
20 696 
15 766 
28 754 
29i 
1 144 
325 
338 
5 
(583 293 Nether­
lands 
37è 834 
286 276 
19 044 
9 384 
13 060 
eii 
2 678 
542 
467 
151 
7 876 
1 796 
2 366 
71 
90 676 
162 
4 ôio 
57 894 
876 056 Portugal 
72 599 
2 944 
3 412 
i 675 
2 186 
6 
0 
i 
123 
0 
0 
3 
779 
716 
530 
ô 
1 396 
4 
553 
200 
87 117 United 
Kingdom 
i 694 &ùl 
872 622 
129 158 
19 767 
44 442 
0 
2 727 
1 
7 626 
2 807 
3 002 
643 
8 335 
14 9i6 
6 041 
1 666 
227 972 
il 
13 536 
i3i 927 
3 181 766 Ibtal ÉEC 
1 
6 491 112 
3 l7ô 769 
448 126 
110 589 
297 7Ô6 
6 545 
27 682 
à 59i 
4 273 
1 344 
48 426 
26336 
16 244 
2 997 
56ô 53i 
1 lbi 
èè 245 
49i 976 
il ?9o 485 
(1) the data submitted by Portugal relate to 1992 
the data submitted by France relate to 1990 
(2) Luxembourg and Belgium did not supply any data 
(3) the shaded areas on the chart indicate that the information is not available 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(94) 195 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 17 03 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-210-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-68818-1 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg