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European Parliament protects animals used for testing

The new law on animal experimentation has been adopted finally by the European Parliament (EP). This new legislation limits the number of experiments and bans the use of apes and primates in the European Union.

The plenary of the Parliament gave its approval to the agreement negotiated between their representatives and the national governments to implement the new legislation. However, some groups, such as The Greens (Verts/ALE), believe that it is not ambitious enough.

The new legislation will oblige national authorities to give preference to alternative methods on animal testing wherever possible. Moreover, only will be allowed tests involving “least pain, suffering and anguish” for animals. The law also bans completely the use of great apes in experiments, but eventually it allows the use of other primates, such as macaques.

According to MEPs, the ban would hurt the investigation of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer or Parkinson’s. However, it is allowed using these species if there is scientific evidence that the research cannot be achieved without them.

To ensure compliance with the new law, annual inspections will be carried out at least in one third of laboratories where animals are used for scientific research.

 

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