ABSTRACT
Title
The European Directive on the protection 2010/63/UE of animals used for scientific purposes
Authors
G. Botta
Roma
Roma
Abstract
On September 22, 2010 was published in the Official Gazette of the European Union's, the new Directive on the protection of animals used in experiments involving the strengthening of the protection of animals according to the latest scientific developments which represents an important step towards the ultimate goal of complete replacement procedures on animals.
The Directive aims to:
• ensure, throughout the EU, a level playing field for companies and researchers and increase the quality of scientific research
• At the same time strengthening the protection of animals still used in scientific procedures;
• give a strong impetus for greater promotion in the development, validation, acceptance and application of alternative methods for the full application of the principle of the three R's ("Replacement, Reduction and Refinement" - replacement, reduction and refinement) in 'use of animals in experiments
We list below some changes in the new Directive:
• inclusion of fetal and embryonic forms of mammals in the last third of their development and cephalopods live;
• Inclusion of basic research, higher education and forensic investigations;
• list of humanitarian suitable methods of suppression depending on the animal species and performed by competent personnel;
• use of non-human primates only if born in captivity;
• banning the use of endangered animal species, especially wild animals, nonhuman primates anthropomorphic, stray animals;
• classification of the severity of experimental procedures;
• rehabilitation for animals at the end of experimentation at rehabilitation facilities or at a suitable habitat for the species itself;
• all breeders, suppliers and users must be licensed and registered with the competent authority and will be subjected to frequent inspections;
• All livestock facilities, suppliers and users must acquire a body responsible for animal welfare;
• All research projects must be approved by the competent authority;
• strengthening of the European Centre for the validation of alternative methods and the designation of a national reference laboratory for the development of such methods.
Member States must transpose it by November 9, 2012 with its own legislation.
The Ministry of Health when they transpose the new directive will use the provisions of article 2, namely the possibility for member states to maintain national standards are more stringent and therefore a strengthening of animal protection.
The Directive aims to:
• ensure, throughout the EU, a level playing field for companies and researchers and increase the quality of scientific research
• At the same time strengthening the protection of animals still used in scientific procedures;
• give a strong impetus for greater promotion in the development, validation, acceptance and application of alternative methods for the full application of the principle of the three R's ("Replacement, Reduction and Refinement" - replacement, reduction and refinement) in 'use of animals in experiments
We list below some changes in the new Directive:
• inclusion of fetal and embryonic forms of mammals in the last third of their development and cephalopods live;
• Inclusion of basic research, higher education and forensic investigations;
• list of humanitarian suitable methods of suppression depending on the animal species and performed by competent personnel;
• use of non-human primates only if born in captivity;
• banning the use of endangered animal species, especially wild animals, nonhuman primates anthropomorphic, stray animals;
• classification of the severity of experimental procedures;
• rehabilitation for animals at the end of experimentation at rehabilitation facilities or at a suitable habitat for the species itself;
• all breeders, suppliers and users must be licensed and registered with the competent authority and will be subjected to frequent inspections;
• All livestock facilities, suppliers and users must acquire a body responsible for animal welfare;
• All research projects must be approved by the competent authority;
• strengthening of the European Centre for the validation of alternative methods and the designation of a national reference laboratory for the development of such methods.
Member States must transpose it by November 9, 2012 with its own legislation.
The Ministry of Health when they transpose the new directive will use the provisions of article 2, namely the possibility for member states to maintain national standards are more stringent and therefore a strengthening of animal protection.