New EU Law Could Threaten UK Animal Welfare
The directive, which will regulate the way laboratory animals are used and cared for in experiments throughout the EU’s 27 member states, was given the final thumbs-up by the European Parliament today.
It is now up to the UK government to ensure that its own laws meet the minimum requirements of the EU directive. The standards set by the directive are basic standards and the UK already goes further in many areas.
However, the RSPCA is concerned that the government may opt to reduce UK rules to the minimum requirements in the directive, even though it is allowed to keep its current higher standards.
RSPCA senior scientist Barney Reed said: “This directive sets out absolute minimum standards for the regulation of laboratory animal care and use. Any attempt by the UK government to use this as a cover for reducing our own laws to this basic level would be inexcusable. The RSPCA is urging the government to respect public concerns and at the very least maintain the level of regulation that we currently have, otherwise both animal welfare and UK science will suffer.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
