Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91996E2883

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2883/96 by Maartje van PUTTEN , Philippe DE COENE to the Commission. Alternatives to tests on animals** 
  
*Official Journal C 091 , 20/03/1997 P. 0047*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2883/96 by Maartje van Putten (PSE) and Philippe De Coene (PSE) to the Commission (31 October 1996)

Subject: Alternatives to tests on animals

In its reply to Written Questions E-2174/96 and E-2243/96 ((OJ C 11, 13.1.1997, p. 58. )), the Commission refers to a comprehensive strategy concerning the use of primates as laboratory animals. The Commission also mentions 'a much stronger justification for the use of primates in laboratories'.

1. Is the Commission aware of the recent report by the Species Survival Commission of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) which concluded that the most endangered species are the anthropoid apes and apes?

2. Can the Commission clarify whether there are any factors at all which are sufficient to justify the use of primates, in view of the IUCN's research findings?

3. Where alternatives to tests on animals exist, would it not be true to say that there are no grounds whatsoever for performing tests on primates (animals which are both exotic and specially reared)?

4. Is it not, therefore, of the first importance to press on with the further development and validation of those alternatives?

5. What extra resources and methods will the Commission use to improve the performance of the European Communities Validation of Alternative Methods Centre?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (19 December 1996)

1. - 2. The Commission has not been informed of the report by the Species survival commission of the World conservation union (IUCN) and therefore cannot take position on its conclusions.

3. The Commission agrees that tests should not be performed on primates where alternatives exist. However, in spite of considerable efforts which have been put into the development of alternative methods to animal testing, few satisfactory results have been obtained. As a result, when substantial scientific justification is given, tests on primates can be performed.

4. The Commission considers it important to press on with the development and validation of alternative methods and will make every effort in this direction.

5. The Commission is committed to the support of the European centre for the validation of alternative methods (ECVAM). This is a new activity and it should be given time to develop. Furthermore, it should be stressed that validation is a very advanced discipline, in the forefront of the scientific field, and the expertise available around the world is very limited. Therefore, it is taking some time for ECVAM to reach its full scientific capacity.

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