WRITTEN QUESTION E-2051/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(10 July 2002)

Subject: Vivisection and protection of animals

A large number of inhabitants and some politicians in Bolzano have recently been campaigning to save 56 beagle puppies destined to be subjected to vivisection and hence appalling and scientifically unjustified suffering. This is only one of many cases in which civil society is being mobilised to combat the appalling practice of vivisection.

In view of this, can the Commission say:

1. whether any documents, initiatives or directives designed to prevent or at least reduce the practice of vivisection exist or are being considered;

2. whether there are any documents, initiatives or directives designed, more generally, to protect animals from abuse and suffering?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2002)

1. Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes(1) was adopted in 1986. The Directive covers the conduct and authorisation of experiments, including vivisection. It also lays down provisions for the authorisation of personnel and establishments. It sets minimum standards for the training of the personnel handling laboratory animals and supervising the experiments, and for the housing and care of the animals.

Article 7 of the Directive provides that an experiment shall not be performed if another scientifically satisfactory method of obtaining the result sought, not entailing the use of an animal, is reasonably and practicably available. It is therefore in the spirit of the Directive 86/609 EEC to encourage methods, which will reduce and ultimately replace the use of animals in experiments.

In this context, it is worth mentioning that in the Directive 76/768/EEC, as amended by Directive 93/35/EEC (6th amendment), on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products there are specific provisions related to the prohibition of marketing of cosmetics products containing ingredients or combinations of ingredients tested on animals. (article 4.1.i). The current provisions are the object of discussions with the Council and the Parliament in the framework of the proposal for a 7th amendment to the above-mentioned directive.

With regard to the Community Research and Technological Development (RTD) Framework Programme, any research project which is selected for funding and which involves animal experimentation is submitted to an ethical review procedure. A multidisciplinary panel of experts (including an animal welfare expert) is checking amongst other issues that the justification given for the involvement of animals is acceptable and the conditions comply with the legal requirements.

Moreover, the development of alternatives to animal experimentation has been among the research priorities within Community RTD Framework Programmes for more than a decade.

2. With regard to the question on the protection of animals from abuse and suffering more generally, there is no Community competency in the field of animal welfare per se. However, the Community has taken steps to improve the treatment and welfare of animals.

The Amsterdam Treaty, for the first time ever, includes a Protocol on protection and welfare of animals. The Protocol recognises animals as sentient beings and notes that the Community and the Member States shall pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals when formulating and implementing the Community policies on agriculture, transport, internal market and research. In doing so they will respect the legislative and administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.