Laboratory Animals

Technical Expert Working Group (TEWG)

The Commission convened a Technical Expert Working Group (TEWG) in June 2003 to assist finding answers to scientific-technical questions as a basis for the revision of the Directive. The work of the TEWG was completed at the end of November 2003.

Under the guidance of the Commission, the task of the Working Group was to analyse the current problems or shortfalls in a given area, identify possible solutions and explain why these are considered appropriate.  In cases where no scientific-technical justification could be found, best practices were to be identified. The aim was to identify consensus or alternative solutions suitable for consideration at EU level. Political discussions were not included at this stage.

The proposed solutions were to respect the following criteria

• Improve the current standard of animal welfare;
• Allow existing, successful schemes/practices to be respected;
• Feasibility, taking into account available resources;
• Implementation has to be feasible throughout the EU.