The report of the Lords EU Sub-committee on the revision of the European Directive on animal experiments (Directive 86/609/EEC) was this week publicly debated at the House of Lords before adoption, with the presence of a Government representative (Minister Lord West of Spithead). The discussions on the revised Directive are still ongoing although a provisional report has been agreed at EU level last December.

The Lords report was adopted in November 2009, following the examination of stakeholder groups, including the BUAV.

At the time of publication, the BUAV gave a qualified welcome to the report as it reflected some positive provisions proposed by the European Commission, including proposals to extend the scope of the Directive to protect more animals, banning severe and prolonged suffering, restricting the use of non-human primates, encouraging data-sharing, etc.

Since the publication of the Lords recommendations, the provisional report agreed last December by the European Parliament and the Swedish Presidency (representing then the EU Member States) considerably weakened the European Commission’s proposals, including on issues not dealt with in the Lords report (for instance the compulsory use of non-animal alternatives or the capacity for Member States to adopt stricter rules).

During yesterday’s debate, the Lords pointed out the lack of clarity on the wording of the draft proposals, and the need for further guidance for interpretation of articles related to the use of non-human primates, the prohibition of severe and prolonged suffering, the possibility to maintain current standards and the frequency of inspections to name a few.

The Minister reassured the Lords that the UK standards will be maintained and that further guidance on the interpretation of the revised Directive will be given. He mentioned that the European Commission is  committed to convene an expert working group to provide guidance on the interpretation of the restrictions on the use of non-human primates.

The BUAV will follow up this process of interpretation and ensure that animal interests are represented.

For further information:

 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100210-0008.htm