WRITTEN QUESTION E-0430/00 by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission. Development, validation and legal acceptance of alternative methods to animal testing experiments.
Date: 2000-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, animal experimentation, cosmetic product

C 374 E/74

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.12.2000

(2000/C 374 E/086)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0430/00

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(23 February 2000)

Subject: Development, validation and legal acceptance of alternative methods to animal testing experiments

On 22 October 1997 the European Parliament approved a report by Mrs Roth-Behrendt (A4-0277/
1997 (1)) in which the Commission was called upon, inter alia, to:

(cid:129) bring forward without delay a proposal to ban testing of finished cosmetic products,

(cid:129) take positive and urgent measures to give new momentum to the development of alternative methods.

Could the Commission state what action has been undertaken to date, or what action it proposes to take,
to meet the calls made by Parliament in the report?

Could the Commission state whether it favours a complete ban on the use of animals to test finished
products, and if so what timetable and strategy it envisages to achieve such a ban?

Could the Commission state what action it proposes to take (cid:129) in conjunction with the Directorate-General
for Research through the Framework Programme or by other means (cid:129) to promote the development of
alternatives?

(1) OJ C 339, 10.11.1997, p. 47.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2000)

the Member States relating to cosmetic products (1). The draft

The Commission is presently working on a draft proposal
for a Parliament and Council Directive
amending for the seventh time Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws
form introduces a
of
permanent and definitive prohibition on the performance of experiments on animals for finished cosmetic
products in the territory of Member States. This proposal would be in compliance with the request of the
Parliament quoted by the Honourable Member. The proposed time-table for the entry into force of this
ban would be the date of entry into force of the Directive.

in its current

The Commission is taking measures to continue the promotion of research into the development and
validation of alternative methods in the field of cosmetic products. The fifth framework programme for
research, technological development and demonstration (RDT) activities 1998-2002 (2) makes provisions
for such research. In particular, within the third key action (cid:145)The Cell Factory(cid:146) of the specific programme on
quality of life and management of living resources, the Commission supports the development of novel in
vitro testing and screening methods as alternatives to animal testing.

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.
(2) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.

(2000/C 374 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0431/00

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 February 2000)

Subject: Environmental impact of afforestation, land reclamation and peat extraction

Has the Commission taken steps to ensure that Council Directive 85/337/EEC (1) on the assessment of the
impact of certain public and private projects on the environment will be complied with in relation to the