EU gives higher priority to Animal Welfare July02

Today the European Parliament in Strasbourg passed overwhelmingly proposals to set up two full Regulatory Committees to review the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.

Speaking after the vote, Bashir Khanbhai, Conservative MEP for the East of England said: "The current EU Directives have not been updated for over 15 years. Since then there have been many scientific advances in testing of medicines without the use of animals. This new Parliamentary Committee will provide the necessary legal mechanism to prescribe and promote improvements in the control and welfare of animals to minimise the use of animals for testing. It is an indication of the priority MEPs from all political parties place on finding valid alternatives to animal testing."