European Commission

Laboratory Animals

Introduction

The protection and welfare of animals is an area covered by a wide range of EU legislation. This includes the protection of wildlife, zoo animals, farm animals, animals in transport and animals used for scientific purposes. Animal studies, whether for the development or production of new medicines, for physiological studies, for studying environmental effects or for the testing of chemicals or new food additives, has to be carried out in compliance with EU legislation.

Since 1986, the EU has had in place specific legislation covering the use of animals for scientific purposes. On 22 September 2010 the EU adopted Directive 2010/63/EU which updates and replaces the 1986 Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The aim of the new Directive is to strengthen legislation, and improve the welfare of those animals still needed to be used, as well as to firmly anchor the principle of the Three Rs, to Replace, Reduce and Refine the use of animals, in EU legislation. Directive 2010/63/EU will take full effect from 1 January 2013.

Latest documents

  • On 27 May 2010, the World Organisation for Animal Health, OIE, at its 78th General Session, adopted the first international animal welfare standards for the "Use of animals in research and education" under the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code to be used as the basis when formulating regulatory framework in this field. It states that a system of animal use oversight should be implemented in each country. The EU was an active contributor throughout the development of these standards and ensured that the European values were sufficiently reflected in the final text. The standards recognise the principle of the Three Rs, the replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals. They emphasise the need for humane treatment of animals and acknowledge that good quality science depends upon good animal welfare by requiring that pain, distress, lasting harm as well as suffering is kept to the minimum.

  • Online survey on EU policy on animal welfare - In 2010, an online survey was launched as part of an evaluation of the EU Policy on Animal Welfare (EUPAW). Information about the evaluation can be found on the project website. The evaluation is concerned with EU animal welfare actions over the 2000-2008 period and was carried out with reference to farm animals, experimental animals, pet and wild animals

  • Communication from the Commission concerning the Council's position at first reading on the adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, adopted 15 June 2010

  • The position of the Council at first reading with a view to the adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes as adopted on 3 June on the basis of a pre-negotiated second-reading agreement

 

 

 

 

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