Directive 2003/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2003 amending 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 (Text with EEA relevance)

Directive 2003/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 22 July 2003
amending 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
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 95 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee(2),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty(3),
Whereas:
(1) On 23 March 1998 the Council adopted Decision 1999/575/EC concerning the conclusion by the Community of the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes(4) (hereinafter referred to as the Convention).
(2) Council Directive 86/609/EEC(5) is the implementing tool of the Convention incorporating the same objectives as the Convention.
(3) Annex II to Directive 86/609/EEC containing guidelines for accommodation and care of animals takes over Appendix A to the Convention. The provisions contained in Appendix A to the Convention and the Annexes to the said Directive are of a technical nature.
(4) It is necessary to ensure the consistency of the Annexes to Directive 86/609/EEC with the latest scientific and technical developments and results of research within the fields covered. Currently, changes to the Annexes can only be adopted by the long-drawn-out co-decision procedure with the consequence that their content is lagging behind the latest developments in the field.
(5) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission(6).
(6) Therefore Directive 86/609/EEC should be amended accordingly,