Statement of European academic networks in support of European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes

The Statement of the European academic networks: Academia Europaea, ALLEA, EASAC, Euro-Case and FEAM can be found <link fileadmin pdf_s reports_statements jointstatement_europeanacademicnetworks_researchusinganimals_08052015.pdf download file>here.

The European Directive 2010/63/EU , adopted in September 2010 and effective from 1 January 2013, provides one of the most stringent legislative frameworks in the world for the responsible use of animals in scientific research.

We call upon the European Parliament and the European Commission to confirm its support of this Directive so that high quality research using animals, with high animal welfare standards, can continue. Such research is critical to advancing human and animal health in the EU and globally and to maintaining Europe’s leading role in that endeavour. In particular we urge the European Parliament and the European Commission to oppose the European Citizen's Initiative which calls for a repeal of this excellent legislation and proposes an end to animal experimentation. It is our belief that the public interest is very well served by the Directive which ensures the most rigorous standards for research in animals for the benefit of human and animal health.