Increasing the welfare of animals used in
experiments
Results of citizen's questionnaire on the
revision of Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals
used for experimental and other scientific purposes
16 June - 18 August 2006
We would like to thank the participants in our public consultation
for their valuable contributions which will help us further
in the preparation for the revision of the existing legislation
for the protection of animals used in experiments (Directive
86/609/EEC).
With a total of 42,655 replies, from all 25 Member States,
as well as third countries, the citizens' consultation received
the third largest number of responses to a Commission internet
consultation ever.
The results of this consultation are based on the responses
of citizens who are interested in the subject and took the
initiative to fill in the questionnaire. Therefore, the
results are not comparable to those obtained from surveys,
such as Eurobarometer. However, the large participation
gives a strong indication of the public interest in this
area. A large majority of respondents supports measures
at EU level to increase the welfare of animals.
For instance, 93 % of the respondents answered either
"Yes, certainly" or "Yes, probably"
to the question "Do you believe that more needs to
be done to improve the level of welfare/protection of animals
used in experiments by action at EU level?".
79% of the respondents answered either "No, certainly
not" or "No, probably not" to the question
"Do you think that there is enough public funding at
European level (e.g. EU framework programme for research)
into the development and validation of alternative methods
to replace animals experiments?".
Finally, 92% of the respondents were of the opinion that
the EU should play a leadership role in promoting in the
international arena a greater awareness of animal welfare
and protection, in particular regarding animals used in
experiments.
The opinions voiced by the public and the results from
the expert consultation together with the conclusions of
the impact assessment and other scientific/technical data
will help the Commission in its considerations regarding
a revision of Directive 86/609/EEC, with the aim of improving
animal welfare and the functioning of the internal market
in the field of animal experimentation.
View the complete results
(pdf ~13kb)
