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12 MILLION REASONS

European Commission's proposals to revise Directive 86/609/EEC

The revision of a 23 year-old Directive
12 million animals are used in experiments in European laboratories every year. Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used in experiments is currently being revised. Since its adoption 23 years ago, the Directive has not been updated, despite the fast development of non-animal alternative methods , the increased understanding of the capacity of animals to feel pain, and a more enlightened public attitude to the issue.

The Revision Process: Key Steps

In November 2008, the European Commission published its proposals, and in May 2009, the Parliament adopted its First Reading position. The Commission's proposals, although far from being perfect, had some positive aspects.

The ECEAE put forward many positive proposals, and the Parliament did vote in favour of some provisions that would impact positively on animals. For example, a requirement for animals in laboratories to be looked after by staff at all times; the extension of the remit of ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods) to include the co-ordination and promotion of the development and use of alternatives in all areas of research; a classification of the severity of procedures, including an upper limit of suffering (unspecified at that point); stricter provisions on data-sharing and duplication of animal experiments; more funding for training and, research into non-animal methods.

However, despite this, the majority of amendments voted in favor have undermined the proposals originally put forward by the Commission's move to make important long over-due improvements to animal welfare. This has come as a major disappointment to the citizens of Europe and is clearly contrary to public opinion.

On the 15th December 2009, the Council of Ministers briefly discussed the state of the negotiations with the European Parliament. A provisional report had been agreed on the 7th December, but could not yet be considered as the final position of the Council as there are still some unresolved issues.

The implementation of the Lisbon Treaty started on the 1st December and is affecting the process of revision of the Directive. Additionally Member States, including Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark have yesterday expressed their reservations on some aspects of the compromise agreed with the Parliament. Those countries share the ECEAE concerns about some proposals:

  • Not giving Member States a full right to adopt stricter rules than those set in the Directive is unacceptable, because that would prevent animal protection being improved in the future, as public opinion and scientific knowledge about animals' ability to feel pain evolves.
  • There should be no exceptions to the (already limited) restrictions on the use of non-human primates
  • There should be no exceptions to the prohibition on the use animals in severe and prolonged experiments

Some political groups in the European Parliament have struggled to get these proposals taken into account during the negotiations with the Council, and are still uncomfortable with some aspects of the compromise that the ECEAE believes is detrimental to animal welfare interests as it stands. The ECEAE is therefore still continuing to press for improvements of other areas of the proposals.

The Council is now expected to adopt its first reading position early in 2010 and the European Parliament will vote its report a few weeks later.

What can be done at this stage?

The ECEAE is actively working with the European Parliament and the Council and has proposed a series of positive amendments.

You can help at this crucial time by contacting your MEP now

The ECEAE urges MEPs and Member states to reconsider before the adoption of the Council position the following issues:

  • The use of non-human primates, including for basic research, should be limited to debilitating or life-threatening human conditions, with a view to bringing them to an end at the earliest opportunity; with in the meantime an early move away from using the offspring of primates captured in the wild (without any feasibility study).
  • All procedures should be subject to Member State authorisation — with no exception or watering down for safety testing - and be retrospectively assessed.
  • Experiments, which involve severe suffering which is more than transient, should be immediately banned, in line with very strong public opinion.
  • The Three Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) has to be implemented more effectively, giving more resources to researchers investing in alternative methods and an obligation to use alternatives which are scientifically as reliable as the relevant animal method, irrespective of whether the former is included in EC legislation (the current Presidency proposal).
  • Full information regarding the procedures should be available (except personal and confidential information), giving practical support to the principle of transparency (one of the milestones of the European Commission).

These are crucial points which will put the Directive in line with public opinion.

Further information

How can I help?

If you are an MEP or EU official
Contact Samira Gazzane 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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