European Commission: Aspects of the biology and welfare of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes

18 July 2006

In a letter to the European Commission, the Chair of the Royal Society's Animals in Research committee highlights concerns relating to a report published by the Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 'Aspects of the biology and welfare of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes'.

This report was commissioned by the European Commission to answer four scientific questions as a basis for the revision of Directive EC 86/609 on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.

The letter highlights the Society's concerns that EFSA's report has failed in certain instances to incorporate objective scientific data to inform their answers to the four questions. This has led to conclusions and assumptions that are not evidence-based. The letter recommends that the European Commission take into account these comments when considering the report, and if necessary, seeks further scientific input.

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