The revision of the EU Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes: 22nd report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report

The European Union Committee sees, in the proposed revision of the EU Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, a much-needed opportunity to remedy the current, widely varying application of the existing Directive across Member States. It supports the Commission’s objectives in proposing to revise the existing Directive: strengthening animal welfare, and ensuring a level playing-field for EU companies and research institutions. The Committee agrees: tighter limits need to be placed on use of non-human primates (such as macaques and marmosets) in research than on the use of other species; higher standards for the care and accommodation of animals should be used, although it sees a case for extending the timescale for achieving the standards in some cases; and effective arrangements for national inspection by Member States of sites where animals are used in scientific procedures are critical. The Committee warns that the revised Directive will fail to meet its objectives unless there are effective safeguards to ensure that its requirements are implemented consistently across all EU Member States. The accompanying The Revision of the EU Directive on the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes - Volume II: Evidence ( HC 164-II ) (ISBN 9780108444982) is available to buy separately, please see below.