UK failing on animal testing law
Press Release from Plaid MEP Jill Evans
Plaid MEP Jill Evans has written to the Home Office to express her concerns about the UK Government's statement on how they will implement European rules on animal testing.
Ms Evans, who helped draft the European Directive on Animal Testing, has said that the UK has failed in two key areas. Firstly in maintaining the UK opt-out from a European ban on using stray animals for experiments, and secondly in failing to set out a list of prohibited scientific techniques considered too cruel.
Governments across the EU are obliged to comply with the new directive - which sets out minimum standards for treating animals used in experiments - by the start of 2013. The UK's ConDem government had said that they would retain stricter standards than those required in EU law, but Ms Evans has challenged this.
Jill Evans said:
"I am concerned about two issues in particular. First, the authorisation of the use of stray pets in experiments. There is unanimous support from animal welfare groups for maintaining a ban, as is the current situation. I have urged the UK Home Office to maintain the current prohibition on the use of stray and feral animals in animal testing experiments.
"I am also concerned that a list of prohibited procedures will not be included in the legislation - such a list would ensure that animals used for experiments are not subjected to particularly cruel treatments, like electric shocks.
"While there were some positive announcements in the Minister's statement, the situation as it stands will worsen Wales' animal welfare record."
