WRITTEN QUESTION P-1813/01

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(13 June 2001)

Subject: Ill-treatment of primates

I have been receiving an increasing number of representations from members of the general public and animal welfare associations about the improper treatment and quite unacceptable living conditions of primates at a Dutch research centre. The centre is subsidised from EU funds.

Baby chimpanzees as young as one year old are routinely taken away from their mothers and isolated in cages where they can neither stand upright nor move naturally. In the wild, a baby chimpanzee is suckled by its mother for up to two years and remains with her right up until the age of five. Some of these primates have accordingly suffered mental injury and are displaying stereotype behaviour, e.g. repetitive rocking movements. Such primates were previously used for specific research but are today described by research staff as unsuitable for this purpose.

On ethical, animal welfare and financial grounds it is plain that the primate centre must be closed.

This being so, what action does the Commission intend to take to close down the EU-subsidised Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in the Netherlands?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(26 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 (RTD) of the Community (1998-2002)(2).

The annex of the Fifth Framework Programme, concerning the Quality of Life Programme and the annex of the specific program on Quality of Life(3) both specify that 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, 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 Community but independent of the Community, has engaged itself contractually to fulfil all national legal and ethical requirements.

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 of the Council of 22 December 1999 (OJ L 26, 1.2.1999).

(3) Council Decision 1999/167/EC 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).