Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 92001E2570

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-2570/01 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission. EU funding for experiments on non-human primates in the Netherlands.** 
  
*Official Journal 093 E , 18/04/2002 P. 0164 - 0165*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2570/01

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(21 September 2001)

Subject: EU funding for experiments on non-human primates in the Netherlands

Given the concern expressed by many EU citizens over the use of non-human primates in experiments and in light of the Dutch government's announcement in July that it will be banning the use of great apes in biomedical research, which directly affects the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in Rijswijk, when was EU funding given to this centre last reviewed and when will it be reviewed again?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(29 October 2001)

The last Community research contracts involving the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in Rijswijk (BPRC) were signed in 2000.

As the Honourable Member may be aware, the Commission ensures a scientific as well as an ethical assessment of all research proposals, before any decision is taken concerning funding of a research proposal.

Furthermore, an independent ethical review has been implemented systematically under the Fifth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (RTD) Quality of Life Programme for proposals dealing with sensitive issues such as the use of non-human primates. The ethical review panel includes, among others, representatives of animal welfare groups. The ethical review ensures that all research projects involving animals are conducted in accordance with Council Directive 86/609/CEE 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). It takes account of the overall benefit of the research proposed in relation to the possible costs in terms of animal suffering. All projects must be approved by local ethics committees or other authorisation bodies before funding.

The BPRC has engaged itself contractually to fulfil all national, legal and ethical requirements. The BPRC has in July 2001 confirmed to the Commission that it has the permission at local level to conduct biomedical research with non-human primates.

All Community funded projects are reviewed regularly by the Commission on the basis of the individual annual project progress reports by the project coordinators.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

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