Every stage of the protracted movement of Europe’s new animal research legislation from proposals to statute book has attracted the ire of one group or another.
When the proposals were first announced last year researchers were outraged at what they saw as ridiculous and damaging barriers to their work. When Parliament’s agriculture committee recently amended the proposed legislation animal rights groups were outraged at what they saw as political kowtowing to business interests.
Now the full parliament has voted on the legislation. This time people on both sides get to be angry.
The majority of members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted with the agriculture committee, backing the use of non-human primates in basic research and science-friendly approaches to the re-use of animals.
“MEPs have shown themselves to be completely out of step with public opinion,” says Michelle Thew, chief executive of the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments. “The Parliament has produced a charter for the multibillion pound animal research industry to carry on business as usual, with scant regard either for animal welfare or public opinion.”
Not so, says Simon Festing, chief executive of the Understanding Animal Research group: “The public believes that Europe should protect medical research as well as animal welfare. Today’s vote shows that this is also the will of the European Parliament.”
Science groups are not totally positive about the vote though. Brian Ager, director general of industry group EFPIA, said he “cautiously welcomes” the vote, although changes are needed in some areas.
Anti-animal research charity the Dr Hadwen Trust is also less than totally happy. Emily McIvor, Policy Director at the trust, says the vote was a “partial victory” as amendments were made to set upper limits on pain but it doesn’t go far enough.
Tune in for the next installment after Europe’s council and commission make their changes.
More on this legislation
Joy and anger over European animal-research vote – 1 April 2009
European animal research ‘threatened by new rules’ – 26 March 2009
Europe to revise animal-testing rules – 25 March 2009
Nature Medicine: Proposed animal research reforms spark concern in Europe – 1 December 2008
Editorial: Call to action – 20 November 2008
Image: Getty