WRITTEN QUESTION E-0291/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Animal experiments involving chimpanzees.
Date: 2002-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Netherlands, animal experimentation, animal welfare, ethics, monkey, protection of animals, research body, research programme, scientific research

C 172 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

It should be stressed that on 12 November 2001 the Union of Hotelkeepers on the Veronese shore of Lake
Garda published an appeal against the massive property speculation in the municipalities on the southern
part of Lake Garda, which is threatening nature in the area " the most precious resource for the local
tourist economy " for which the Veneto Region is in the process of adopting a special area plan (3).

Does the Commission intend to take steps to carry out an investigation (screening) to establish the need
for and environmental impact assessment of the Gardaland project in question?

(1) OJ C 136 E, 8.5.2001, p. 68.
(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.
(3) The guidelines for the Lake Garda Area Plan provided for in the Regional Development Master Plan, the most
important planning policy document in the Veneto (cf. Veneto Regional Council measure No 250/1991), clearly
stipulate that natural and landscape resources must be protected, and hence restrictions be imposed on building
work.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2002)

The Commission considers that programmes and plans are not covered by Council Directive 85/337/EEC
of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of
the effects of certain public and private projects on the
environment (1), whether before or after amendment by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997.

Should the plan be considered as substantially having the characteristics of a project, Directive 85/337/EEC
would apply. However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, at present, it
cannot be deduced that the plan for the allocation of hotel building-space approved on 24 October 2001
may be considered as a project.

In the light of the above, given the lack of specific grounds on the complaint on the application of the
above-mentioned environmental impact assessment (EIA) Directive to the specific cases, no breach of the
directive can be identified at present. Should the Honourable Member provide detailed information
enabling the Commission to assess the issues in relation to the EIA Directive, the Commission would also
be able to investigate this matter.

Under Directive 2001/42/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of
the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (2), certain plans and programmes which
are likely to have significant effects on the environment are made the subject of an environmental
assessment. However, at present, Member States are not yet obliged to apply the provisions of this
directive. Deadline for Member States to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions necessary to comply with this Directive is 21 July 2004.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
(2) OJ L 197, 21.7.2001.

(2002/C 172 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0291/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2002)

Subject: Animal experiments involving chimpanzees

Can the Commission confirm that the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in the Netherlands is the only
scientific research institution in the European Union which currently conducts experiments involving
chimpanzees? What rules are laboratories wishing to use chimpanzees or other advanced primates in
experiments required to follow and do the Member States have any treaty obligations in this area?
Specifically, is the Biomedical Primate Research Centre required to submit a specific request to the Dutch
authorities before beginning each research project explaining why it is not possible to use other animal
models, and what limits are placed on the suffering which chimpanzees and other primates are forced to
endure during the course of these experiments?

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/177

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(15 March 2002)

The Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in the Netherlands is to the knowledge of the Commission
the only institution in the Community which currently conducts experiments involving chimpanzees.

In 1998 the Community became Party to the Council of Europe Convention, European Treaty Series (ETS)
123 (31 March 1986) for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific
purposes. The implementing tool for the Convention is Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November
1986 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 (1). Appendix A of
the Convention contains guidelines for the housing and care of laboratory animals. This appendix is
transformed into Annex 2 of the Directive.

Under the auspices of the Council of Europe, a Working Party is currently reviewing Appendix A of the
Convention concerning guidelines for the housing and care of
laboratory animals. This revision is
scheduled to be finalised and ready for adoption in 2002.

All research in Europe involving the use of animals is subject to the Directive 86/609/EEC. The Member
States have responsibility to enforce this. However, it has become clear that Directive 86/609/EEC does not
provide sufficient controls to safeguard the welfare of non-human primates. Therefore the Commission has
taken stock of the current situation. Discussions with the Member States, industry and non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) in the field of animal welfare have already started on the issues where further
attention and controls are needed.

the Parliament and Council of 22 December 1998
In the annex of Decision No 182/1999/EC of
concerning the fifth framework programme of the Community for research, technological development
and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002) (2), concerning the Quality of Life Programme, it is specified
that research involving animals is restricted under this programme with regard to animal experiments and
tests on animals, which should, when ever possible, be replaced with in vitro or other alternative methods.
An obligation is placed on all applicants to describe the procedures adopted to respect the principles of the
3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement) and to protect the welfare of animals.

An ethical review has been implemented systematically under the fifth Framework Programme for
proposals dealing with issues such as the use of non-human primates. The ethical review ensures that all
research involving animals are conducted in accordance with Directive 86/609/CEE. It takes account of the
overall benefit of the research proposed in relation to the possible costs in terms of animal suffering.
Furthermore, participants in research projects must seek the approval of the relevant national authorising
bodies prior to the start of the research activities.

In July 2001, the BPRC has informed the Commission that all research protocols are judged by a scientific
committee. Prior to experimentation each protocol must be reviewed by an animal ethical committee
(DEC). The DEC-BPRC is officially recognised by the Dutch authorities. The DEC ensures among others
that no alternative methods are available.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.
(2) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.

(2002/C 172 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0301/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 February 2002)

Subject: Urban environment policy in Greece

According to a survey by the National Environment and Sustainable Development Centre, the level of
atmospheric emissions per unit of gross national product in Greece exceeds the EU average while
according to the report, carbon dioxide emissions have tripled.