WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2739/97 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Undertaking to limit experiments on animals
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, TAMINO
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, action programme, animal experimentation, application of EU law, genetic engineering, protection of animals, public health, research, research method

16. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 117/57

(98/C 117/70)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2739/97

by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Undertaking to limit experiments on animals

The  fourth  call  for  proposals  for  RTD  projects  under  the  specific  programme  for  research,  technological
development and demonstration in the field of biotechnology (1994 to 1998) has been published (1).

Does the Commission intend to fulfil the undertaking given in the Fifth environmental programme to reduce
animal experiments by 50% by the year 2000 when allocating funds?

Why does the Commission state that animal welfare and animal genetic diversity will be respected only in the
case of point 3.2.1 (cid:145)Genome mapping and improvement of farm animal selection(cid:146) and not in the case of point
3.2.2 (cid:145)Animal models(cid:146) in area 3 (cid:145)Plant and animal biotechnology(cid:146) of the fourth call for proposals?

(1)  OJ C 183, 17.6.1997, p. 8.

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 (1),  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 (2)  have  made  major  contributions  to  the  development  of  alternative  tests  in
pharmaco-toxicology.

Moreover the fourth framework programme for research (3) 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 (4), it states that (cid:145)whenever possible experimentation and testing on
animals should be replaced by in-vitro and other methods(cid:146).

The development of (cid:145)animal models(cid:146), 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.

(1)  COM(92) 23.
(2)  COM(94) 68.
(3)  COM(92) 406.
(4)  OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.