Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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

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# 92002E3396

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-3396/02 by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Experimentation on chimpanzees.** 
  
*Official Journal 155 E , 03/07/2003 P. 0149 - 0149*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3396/02

by Avril Doyle (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 November 2002)

Subject: Experimentation on chimpanzees

What is the Commission's view on continued experimentation on chimpanzees at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in the Netherlands, the only remaining facility in the European Union still using chimpanzees for experiments?

The laboratory situated near The Hague is planning one final experiment on six healthy infant chimpanzees by infecting them with the incurable hepatitis C virus. I urge the Commission to intervene to prevent this one final experiment at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 January 2003)

Experimentation on animals falls under Council Directive 86/609/EEC 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). The Directive states that animal experiments shall not be performed if another scientifically satisfactory method is reasonably and practicably available (Article 7.2). The choice of the animal species should also be carefully considered (Article 7.3).

The implementation of the Directive is the responsibility of the national authorities, in this case the Dutch authority. So far, the Commission has not received any information that indicates that the proposed experiment is in breach of the Directive.

The Commission is aware that the use of non-human primates such as chimpanzees in experiments is a sensitive issue. In the upcoming revision of the Directive, this issue will play an important role.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

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