EU set to tighten animal testing rules

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Jul 2010

The use of animals in scientific experiments could soon be reduced by new EU legislation which aims to strike a balance between improving animal welfare and assisting research against diseases.

The draft rules were passed by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee on Monday (12 July) and are expected to be endorsed by the full Parliament and Council in September.

They require national authorities to assess the animal welfare implications of experiments with a view to promoting alternative testing methods, reducing the levels of pain inflicted on animals and avoiding the excessive re-use of animals in experiments.

South West MEP Graham Watson has long campaigned for better animal testing rules in Europe. He said;

"A great deal has been done at the EU level to protect animal welfare, and these rules represent another step forward.

"They put us firmly on the road to replacing animal testing without impacting on valuable scientific research.

"A great many animals will be spared a great deal of suffering as a result of this new legislation, and I will certainly give it my full backing in September."

The text approved today represents a deal reached by MEPs and member states, and will enter into force three years after any approval.