WRITTEN QUESTION E-1773/01

by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission

(15 June 2001)

Subject: Compliance with ethical rules on the treatment of animals in the BPRC

It is the Commission's responsibility to verify compliance with all ethical, animal welfare and environmental safety standards in all research and development projects to which the EU contributes funding. It is reported that these standards are widely flouted at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in the Netherlands. 1500 primates are currently kept at the centre in conditions which in Denmark would immediately lead to a police investigation. I refer to the Report on the Biomedical Primate Research Centre published by the CEECE, the Coalition to End Experiments on Chimpanzees in Europe(1) and to an article in the journal Nature Vol. 411, page 123 of 10 May 2001.

The Commission should familiarise itself with the European campaign to close the centre and transfer the animals to nature reserves. Many of the animals in question are no longer used in experiments and it would apparently cost half the amount spent on keeping the animals at the BPRC if they were transferred to nature reserves.

Will the Commission immediately ensure that financial aid to the BPRC is made conditional upon the primates living in totally unacceptable conditions at the centre being transferred so that they can lead a life under conditions which meet the ethical standards for the treatment of animals applying in northern Europe?

(1) Box 3384, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 5WB, UK.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2001)

All research in Europe involving the use of animals is subject to the Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986(1) on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. The Member States have responsibility to enforce this.

The Commission has been most vigilant as regards animal experiments and animal welfare in implementing the Fifth Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development.

The annex of the Fifth Framework Programme(2), concerning the Quality of Life Programme and the annex of the specific program on Quality of Life(3) define the rules for funding of research. In particular, they specify that, animal experiments and tests on animals should be replaced, to the extent possible, with in vitro or other alternative methods. An obligation is placed on all applicants, including the Biomedical Research Primate Centre (BPRC) 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 is supported under this programme.

An ethical review has been implemented systematically under the Quality of Life specific programme for proposals dealing with issues such as the use of non-human primates, generation of transgenic animals, etc. The ethical review panel includes, among others, representatives from animal welfare groups. The ethical review ensures that all research involving animals are conducted in accordance with Directive 86/609/CEE. 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 seek the approval of the relevant national authorising bodies prior to the start of the research activities. The BPRC, which is situated in the Union but independent of the Union, has engaged itself contractually to fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements.

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Sciences granted the BPRC a one-off subsidy of NLG 15 millions in October 2000 to improve animal welfare. Several improvements have been made, for instance, building of outdoor facilities which support the social housing of macaques. Plans for rehousing of the chimpanzees' colony of the BPRC is currently under preparation.

The Commission does not intend to exclude the BPRC from participation in Community funded projects as long as the relevant authorisations from national authorities have been obtained.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

(2) Decision No 182/1999/EC of the Parliament and Council of 22 December 1998 concerning the fifth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002) (OJ L 26, 1.2.1999).

(3) 1999/167/EC: Council Decision of 25 January 1999 adopting a specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on quality of life and management of living resources (1998 to 2002) (OJ L 64, 12.3.1999).