WRITTEN QUESTION E-2327/01 by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Animal testing in the 6th Framework Programme.
Date: 2001-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, animal experimentation, animal welfare, chemical product, research method

C 93 E/110

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2001)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answers to written questions E-2406/99 by
John McCartin (1) and E-1054/99 by Angela Billingham (2), and to the replies to oral questions H-1148/98
by Nial Andrews during question time at Parliament’s December 1998 part-session (3) and H-1023/98 by
Robert Evans during question time at Parliament’s November 1998 part-session (4).

(1) OJ C 225 E, 8.8.2000.
(2) OJ C 348, 3.12.1999.
(3) Written reply, 15.12.1998.
(4) Oral reply, 17.11.1998.

(2002/C 93 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2327/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Animal testing in the 6th Framework Programme

(31 July 2001)

In its proposal for a 6th Framework Programme the Commission appears to have ignored its legal
obligation under the Treaty Protocol on Animal Welfare and also the increasing concern expressed by the
European Parliament and EU citizens about the slow rate of progress in developing non-animal alternatives
to animal tests used for assessing toxicological hazards of chemicals.

What steps will the Commission be taking to amend this 6th programme and ensure that financial
resources are made available to research into the development of non-animal toxicological tests?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

In the process related to the preparation of the new Framework Programme 2002-2006 of the Community
for research, technological development and demonstration activities, the Commission adopted, on 30 May
2001, proposals for the Specific Programmes (1).

This text clearly mentions the development of new in vitro tests to replace animal experimentation in the
research priority (ii) of the thematic priority 1.1.1 ‘Genomics and biotechnology for health’ (see pages 20
of the text).

Furthermore, it includes several general statements regarding the respect of animal welfare, which concern
all activities of the new Framework Programme (see footnote 14, page 18 of the text).

Additionally, flexibility for policy-related research is offered under the heading ‘Anticipating the EU’s
scientific and technological needs’ (1) which covers policy-orientated research and could include non-animal
testings.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) will continue to undertake the validation of these tests, which is currently
performed at ECVAM (the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods). Additionally, the
European Chemicals Bureau, the JRC, and Directorate General (DG) Environment will keep promoting
acceptance of alternative methods in the regulatory context.

The Commission’s White Paper on a strategy for a future chemicals policy (2) clearly states the commitment
of the Commission to the legislation on the protection of animals used for experimental and other
scientific purposes and establishes as ‘Action 3 F: To foster research on development and validation of
alternative methods both at the Community and at the level of Member States and to enhance the relevant
information that can be obtained from testing without simultaneously increasing the number of animals
involved’.

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/111

In view of the above, it appears that the subject, raised by the Honourable Member is well covered in the
Specific Programme’s proposals. The Commission will continue the policy of reduction refinement and
replacement of animal tests.

(1) OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001.
(2) COM(2001) 88 final.

(2002/C 93 E/129)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2328/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Monitoring radiation pollution in Scandinavia and Northern Russia

Will the Commission make a statement on the agreement to monitor radiation pollution in Scandinavia
and Northern Russia?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2001)

In June 2001, the Nordic and Baltic Sea region countries (Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Russia) signed an Agreement on the Exchange of Radiation
Monitoring Data. The Commission presumes that this agreement is the subject of the question by the
Honourable Member.

Before signing, the Agreement was submitted to the Commission for approval by the Government of
Sweden, in accordance with Article 103 of the Euratom Treaty. The Commission verified the Agreement
against the relevant provisions of the Euratom Treaty and communicated its approval to the Governments
of Denmark, Germany, Finland and Sweden (Decision of the Commission of 29 June 2001, ref. PE/1186/
2001).

The Euratom Community is not a party to the Agreement, although there is an ongoing Community
programme with similar activity (Eurdep D European Union Radiological Data Exchange Platform).

Exchanging environmental
in line with the ongoing
radiation monitoring data internationally is
Community nuclear safety and emergency preparedness activities, and the Commission wishes to further
promote this kind of exchange at the European level.

The Commission is especially pleased with the high number of participants in the Baltic Sea States
Agreement. Additionally, the Baltic Sea States system for exchanging data is technically advanced and
should be used as a reference for developing similar arrangements elsewhere.

(2002/C 93 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2329/01

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Appointment of Euratom inspectors

Will the Commission make a statement on the reasons for the changed arrangements to appoint Euratom
inspectors?