Regulators Pressed to Adopt New Procedures, More Non-Animal Tests
STRASBOURG, France––The European Parliament today passed a resolution chastising European Union regulators for moving too slowly to accept scientifically recognized alternatives to animal testing, and calling for major changes to European Commission procedures to speed up the acceptance of non-animal tests in the future, with increased transparency and stakeholder involvement.
Today's move came in response to concerns raised by Humane Society International that a new regulation proposed by the European Commission––which lists EU-recognized tests for detecting hazards to human health and the environment––contains obsolete animal tests that should be deleted, and overlooks a number of scientifically proven methods that replace or reduce animal use.
"EU law states unequivocally that non-animal methods must be used where reasonably and practicably available, and that adoption of alternative, non-animal test methods should take place 'as soon as possible,'" said Emily McIvor, EU director of HSI. "It is astounding that intervention from the Parliament continues to be necessary to ensure that Commission bureaucrats take this issue seriously."
Out of concern that the Parliament might reject the proposed test methods regulation outright, the European Commission has announced recently that it will be implementing more streamlined and transparent procedures for EU acceptance of alternative test methods for regulatory purposes. Today's resolution acknowledges this important commitment, and calls on the Commission to come forward by the end of 2008 with a proposal for adapting the test methods regulation to more fully incorporate available non-animal methods.
-30-
Humane Society International is the global arm of The Humane Society of the United States––the largest animal protection organization in the world, backed by 10.5 million members and supporters. For more than a half-century, HSUS/HSI have been fighting for the protection of all animals worldwide through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty––worldwide. On the web at hsi.org.
