Directive 86/609/EEC: The ECEAE's key demands
The ECEAE is opposed to all animal experiments and committed to promoting a modern, humane science including:
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A long-term strategy to reduce and ultimately replace the use of animals in experiments including targets to phase-out the use of non-human primates, cats and dogs (as this is strongly supported by public opinion).
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Compulsory authorisation by EU member states for all experiments involving animals
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The promotion and adequate funding of alternative methods to animal testing
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The prohibition of experiments which involve both severe and prolonged suffering as originally proposed by the European Commission
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A phase-out of all use of non-human primates within a short timetable
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An unqualified ban on the use of wild-caught animals, whether for experiments or breeding, as capturing animals from their natural habitat necessarily involves great pain and distress, and a ban, within a short timescale, on the use of F1 non-human primates (where one or both parents were captured from the wild)
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A ban on the use of cats and dogs
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The re-use of animals to be allowed only if both the first and repeat procedure involves no more than genuinely mild suffering
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A retrospective assessment of all experiments to assess the utility of the research and whether the predicted effects on animals were accurate – this is important for assessing the merits of future projects and for human health
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The implementation of the highest minimum standards for housing and care, including the Commission Recommendation 2007/526/EC of 18 June 2007 on guidelines for the accommodation and care of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes
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A much more open system with all information publicly available (except the genuinely confidential information which could identify individuals or establishments), thereby enabling European citizens to get a real sense of the reality of animal experiments
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The implementation of a system of data-sharing and the prohibition of the duplication of procedures
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An obligation on the Commission, in consultation with the Parliament and stakeholders, to conduct frequent reviews of the Directive to ensure that it reflects evolving ethical opinion and scientific developments, and to ensure that the common objective of ending experiments on animals is achieved at the earliest possible opportunity
This would bring the law much closer in line with clear public opinion.
Further information
How can I help?
The position of the Parliament has now been forwarded to the Council of Ministers for discussion. The position of the Council may be adopted in November 2009.
If you are an MEP or EU official:
Contact Samira Gazzane now to arrange a briefing meeting Email:
If you are an EU citizen:
Email your MEP now! You can also sign up to our newsletter so that we can keep you posted on any developments with the animal experiments directive.
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