WRITTEN QUESTION E-2738/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Community contributions to animal experiments

The communication of 18 September 1995 to the orthopaedic clinic of the Sacred Heart catholic university, Rome, concerning experiments on 72 rabbits, on analysis of the characteristics of in vivo biocompatibility of ceramic material for orthopaedic purposes mentions under 'Funds' an 'agreement No 7090699 with the EEC' without giving any details.

What type of experiments were involved and what is the total Community contribution?

What results beneficial to man were obtained?

Will the undertaking given in the Fifth environmental programme to reduce experiments on animals by 50% by the year 2000 be adhered to?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2738/97 and E-2739/97 given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (6 October 1997)

The Commission, when allocating research funds, exercises its influence in favour of the political objective formulated in the fifth environment programme ((COM(92) 23. )), that is to say the reduction of animal experiments in the Community by 50% in the year 2000. The Commission has been funding research for the replacement of animal experimentation by alternative methods since 1986. In particular the successive Biotechnology and biomedicine and health programmes ((COM(94) 68. )) have made major contributions to the development of alternative tests in pharmaco-toxicology.

Moreover the fourth framework programme for research ((COM(92) 406. )) sets the principles according to which Community funded research should be conducted. In line with Council Directive 86/609/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes ((OJ L 358, 18.12.1986. )), it states that 'whenever possible experimentation and testing on animals should be replaced by in-vitro and other methods'.

The development of 'animal models', to which the Honourable Member refers is addressed in point 3.2.2. of the Biotechnology work programme. As the well-being of these animals is protected under Council Directive 86/609/EEC, no special mention of animal welfare was necessary in the work programme. All contractors are committed to adhere to their national legislation in particular the safety and ethical provisions applicable where the research is performed.

The Honourable Member refers to a research project funded under the Brite Euram programme aimed at determining the optimal criteria for covering metallic hip prosthesis with ceramic material mimicking bone tissue. The task of University Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome was to study the interaction between the coated prosthesis and animal tissue. This involved 72 rabbits which received a model implant and were observed over time to study how the implants behaved. The total Community contribution was ECU 974 000 over three years for the five universities involved. This project contributed improving the ceramic coating of hip prosthesis and therefore improving the quality of life of people suffering from multiple unrecoverable fractures or when the natural bone degenerates as a consequence of aging.