Sharon welcomes new EU proposals to reduce animal testing

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Jul 2010

Sharon with Dr Evan Harris at the Medical Research Council's Mary Lyon Centre in Oxfordshire

The European Parliament's Agriculture Committee has approved plans to reduce the number of animals used in scientific experiments.

The new legislation would require national authorities to assess the animal welfare implications of each experiment done, with a view to promoting alternative testing methods and reducing the levels of pain inflicted on animals.

The new legislation would also tighten up rules on the use of primates in scientific experiments by classifying tests according to severity and specifying inspections necessary to ensure compliance.

Sharon Bowles said:

"In my book, the three principles of animal research are the '3 Rs' - reduce, refine, and replace.

"That said, animal welfare should not be based purely on emotive criteria. We must accept that in some cases, where there is no alternative, animal testing is the only option.

"However, I hope there will come a time when animal testing will not be necessary. Until that day comes, we must make sure that testing is done in the most ethical way possible."

ENDS