Milestone for Welfare on EU Animal Testing
The Kennel Club has welcomed the European Parliament’s animal testing directive and commitment to better protect animals used for research.
The Kennel Club considers that the current scale of animal experimentation is unacceptable, but recognises that immediate abolition of all animal experiments is not possible until alternative methods are further developed and validated. In the meantime, the organisation supports efforts to reduce the numbers of animals used through better science and better experimental design.
The directive states that medical research on animals will only be permitted in cases where there is no alternative. Further conditions in the directive outline strict controls on institutions conducting research criteria to ensure the fairest possible conditions for animals used in experimentation, and mandatory registration for all breeders, suppliers and users of laboratory animals.
The Kennel Club’s Communications Director, Caroline Kisko said: “We are extremely pleased with the European Parliament’s decision to reduce animal tests where possible and improve the conditions of animals used for research.
“The Kennel Club has been lobbying on this issue since 2005 and believes that where alternative and lawful test methods which do not require the use of animals are available, these must be used. The European Parliament has adopted these principles in the animal testing directive and shown a true commitment to animal welfare, for which we wholeheartedly commend them.”
The European Parliament also agreed that laboratory animals must be looked after by professionally trained staff. The full European Parliament will vote on the directive in September. Member States will then have two years to comply with the new legislation.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
