WRITTEN QUESTION P-1720/01

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 June 2001)

Subject: European grant to the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (B.P.R.C.) in Rijswijk

Can the Commission confirm that around 3 million is given annually for research projects of the B.P.R.C. in Rijswijk?

Is the Commission aware that this centre is heavily criticised on the grounds that:

- experiments on primates which have been banned for ethical reasons in a number of countries are continuing to be carried out there, even, to a limited extent, on chimpanzees;

- the purpose of the experiments is regularly called into question, and the B.P.R.C. receives scarcely any support from the pharmaceutical industry;

- the housing in which the apes are kept is exceptionally poor?

Under what budget line of the Commission's budget does this grant come, and what is the legal basis for it?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(25 July 2001)

Under the Fifth framework programme for Research and Technological Development (RTD) of the Community (1998-2002) Decision No 182/1999/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 22 December 1999)(1), the Commission has so far funded the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) to a total amount of approximately 4,3 million. The funding encompasses several three-year research projects started in 1999 and 2000. They cover research areas, such as vaccine and drug development for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis, malaria and hepatitis C.

The BPRC is mainly participating in research projects funded within the Quality of Life Programme (Budget line: B1.6111) under the Fifth RTD framework programme of the Community.

The Commission has been most vigilant as regards animal experiments and animal welfare in implementing the Fifth framework programme.

The annex of the Fifth framework programme, concerning the Quality of Life Programme and the annex of the specific program on Quality of Life(2) both specify that funding of research involving animals is restricted under this programme with regard to animal experiments and tests on animals, which should, when ever possible, be replaced with in vitro or other alternative methods. An obligation is placed on all applicants for proposals to describe the procedures adopted to respect the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) and to protect the welfare of animals.

In addition, research on the development of alternatives to animal experiments and animal welfare is supported under this programme.

An independent ethical review has been implemented systematically under the Quality of Life specific programme for proposals dealing with sensitive issues such as the use of non-human primates. The ethical review panel includes, among others, representatives of animal welfare groups. The ethical review ensures that all research involving animals are conducted in accordance with Council Directive 86/609/CEE of 24 November 1986(3). It takes account of the overall benefit of the research proposed in relation to the possible costs in terms of animal suffering. Furthermore, participants in research projects must fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements. Funding of the project will not be granted before all ethical questions has been answered satisfactorily.

The BPRC, which is situated in the Community but independent of the Community, has engaged itself contractually to fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements.

(1) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.

(2) Council Decision 1999/167/EC of 25 January 1999 adopting a specific programme for research, tecnological development and demonstration on quality of life and management of living resources (1998 to 2002), (OJ L 64, 12.3.1999).

(3) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.