Steering away from animal tests

The EU is planning to introduce further restrictions on the use of animals in scientific experiments and to provide better protection for the creatures still used. On 15 December, the Council discussed a proposed directive intended to ensure a level playing field for research and industry throughout the Union. Increased uptake of alternative methods is expected to boost research activities in Europe.

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The current EU rules on the protection of animals used for scientific ends are governed by a 1986 directive. Since then some member states have adopted higher welfare requirements for laboratory animals, which has led to a widening gap in standards in Europe. The Council is now willing to iron out those differences, taking into account evolving ethical views on animal welfare, up-to-date experimental techniques and new scientific knowledge about the capacity of animals to feel pain and suffer.

Under the proposed legislation, it is essential to find alternatives to testing on animals. Where this is not possible, their number must be reduced or the testing methods refined in order to cause less harm to the animals. The new rules would also include a ban on using great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orang-utans) in scientific procedures. Only if the survival of the species itself were menaced, or in the case of an unexpected outbreak of a life-threatening or debilitating disease in human beings, could permission to use them be granted.

The new directive calls for ethical evaluations. Any testing on animals would be subject to authorisation. It would also set minimum housing and care requirements for animals and require that only those of second or older generations be used, to avoid exhausting wild populations.

As this act will be adopted under the codecision procedure, it also requires approval by the European Parliament.

More information:
Council press release 
Webcast of Council debate