Tories show true colours on animal welfare (Forest of Dean Liberal Democrats)

Forest of Dean Liberal Democrats <hdalziel@cix.co.uk>

Tories show true colours on animal welfare

May 5, 2009 2:32 PM
Originally published by Sir Graham Watson MEP

In a controversial vote today in the European Parliament, Conservative MEP for the South West of England & Gibraltar Neil Parish has sought to weaken EU rules that protect animals used in scientific experiments.

The European Union is in the process of updating existing legislation on animal testing which dates back to 1986 (Directive 86/609) but does not cater for modern techniques or the latest advancements in the field of animal welfare.

Some Member States, such as the UK, have established far more stringent measures in their national implementation than others where only minimum rules apply.

The aim of the Commission proposal is to raise standards in animal welfare, throughout the EU, for industry and the research community, but the Tories and allies of big pharma industries have tabled a series of sweeping changes to the European Commission's draft.

Graham Watson, MEP for the South West of England & Gibraltar, is appalled by the approach of the Conservatives:

"This is a blatant slap in the face to standards of decency that the British public expect us to uphold in relation to experiments on animals. The Tory amendments would have driven a coach and horses through very sensible new EU rules to create a level playing field across the EU where not everyone shares Britain's own high standards in this field."

"Neil Parish and his colleagues were proposing to ease restrictions on the use of non-human primates allowing them to be used essentially in all basic research, including for foodstuffs and drugs. He also argued for delaying the ban on the use of offspring of F1 primates (those caught in the wild) and removed the proposed ban on the use of the most severe and prolonged tests whilst deleting all effective prior authorisation requirements."

"This report disproves any previous claims by the Tories that they are supporters of animal welfare."

"Thankfully, Liberal Democrats managed to force concessions before the final vote which stopped Neil Parish doing everything the animal experimenters wanted. Even so, this decision fails to provide the protection that primates need from cruel treatment."

Editors notes:

*Around 12 million animals are used annually in scientific procedures in the EU. The current EU legislation on animal testing dates back to 1986. The aim of the European Commission directive is to ensure animals are sufficiently protected in industry & research throughout the EU.

*Graham Watson MEP is Leader of the ALDE group on the European Parliament. He is first on the Liberal Democrats' list of European candidates for the South West of England & Gibraltar - elections take place on 4 June 2009.