EU changes to lab animal welfare
A public consultation is currently underway by the Home Office, seeking views on a new European Directive which sets out measures on the protection of animals used in experiments and other scientific purposes.
Whilst the Kennel Club broadly supports the new directive, there are concerns that it could lower the level of protection offered against the use of dogs used in experiments, and might alter the ways in which dogs and other animals may be humanely killed from those currently permitted under UK law.
EU Directive 2010/63/EU was finalised and came into force across the EU in November 2010, effectively as a revision of the UK’s current Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). The UK, amongst all other Member States, has two years to transpose it into their national systems of legislation and full implementation of the Directive starts in January 2013.
Kennel Club concerns The Kennel Club, together with animal welfare groups across Europe, agrees that the revised Directive has the potential to offer significant improvements. However, there are concerns that the revised Directive could undermine some aspects of the UK regulatory system, and will need to be addressed. Specifically the Kennel Club is concerned with the impact the EU Directive may have on ASPA.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson said: “Whilst standards currently set in ASPA are similar to those set by the new EU Directive, there are risks that the highest standards could be levelled down.
The Kennel Club will be responding to the consultation and urging the Government to ensure that where the UK’s standards are higher, they should be maintained as any other approach would undermine the Coalition Government’s pledge to work towards reducing the use of animals in scientific research.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
