Bid to end inhumane primate testing in EU labs
By Sajjad Karim MEP
Jun 27, 2007, 23:08
North West Euro MP Sajjad Karim has joined MEPs representing 11 European countries to stage a symbolic 'release' of 'primates' from their cages on the steps of the European Parliament.
The event marked the launch of the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments' (ECEAE) campaign to secure a ban on the use of these sensitive and intelligent creatures in EU labs in a forthcoming review of the lab animal directive 86/609.
Each MEP un-caged a campaigner dressed as a primate to represent the opportunity they have via the new law to free non-human primates from pain and suffering they currently endure in EU labs.
The directive, which is expected to be published in draft later this year, is designed to overhaul the antiquated rules governing animal experiments in Europe. It represents an historic opportunity for the EU to ensure a humane approach is placed at the heart of European Research and Development policy.
In particular the directive is a key opportunity for the EU to outlaw the morally indefensible and scientifically questionable practice of subjecting primates to painful and invasive experiments.
Over eighty per cent of the 40,000 responses from European Citizens who responded to the EC's consultation on the revision of 86/609 said they did not consider the use of monkeys in experiments as acceptable.
Speaking from Brussels after the launch Saj said: "I was delighted to support the launch of this campaign as it is a subject I have been backing for some time now given the fact that 90% of the compassionate British public would like to see more funding allocated to non-animal alternatives for testing.
"This is a unique opportunity for the EU to take the initiative on ending the use of primates in Europe, setting an example for the rest of the world to follow."
ECEAE chief executive Michelle Thew, who is also chief executive of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) said: "The event today shows the strength of opposition across the EU to the continuing use of these sensitive creatures in painful experiments. The ECEAE is calling on the EU to take this opportunity to become world leaders in modern, humane research by releasing all monkeys from our labs."
ENDS
Notes to editors
The MEPs supporting the launch are Karin Resetarits representing Austria; Bart Staes, Frieda Brepoels and Pierre Jonckheer representing Belgium; Satu Hassi representing Finland; Hiltrud Breyer representing Germany; Guido Sacconi and Pasqualina Napoletano representing Italy, David Hammerstein representing Spain, Jens Holm representing Sweden and Sajjad Karim representing the UK.
For more information on the lab animal directive revision visit http://www.eceae.org/english/labanimals.html
The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments is an alliance of 18 professional not for profit organisations across Europe seeking an end to animal testing. More information can be found at: www.eceae.org
© Copyright by
MaccWeb Scoops