Meeting at the European Parliament on 'Understanding research using animals and the alternatives'

On 20 January 2015, MEPs Vicky Ford and Cristian Busoi hosted a meeting at the European Parliament to explore the reasons why, and ways in which, animals are used in scientific, medical and veterinary research in the EU, and the importance of the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the ‘3Rs’) and their application in research.

The meeting highlighted that the European Union is a world leader in the responsible use of animals in research and promotes what are widely regarded as the highest standards of animal protection in the world. Participants stressed that research using animals continues to be essential for medical progress, from furthering our understanding of human and animal health and disease, to the development of safe and effective therapies for use in both medical and veterinary practice. The scientific community is developing alternative methods to animal models, however, they are not yet able to fully replace the use of animals in research.

The principles of replacement, reduction and refinement are enshrined in the European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Participants warned that any attempt to compromise the implementation of the Directive would have significant negative consequences on animal welfare and research across the EU.

The Academy’s European network, FEAM (the Federation of European Academies of Medicine) supported the meeting, which was chaired by their President, Professor Dermot Kelleher FMedSci.

A report summarising the meeting’s discussions was prepared by a member of the Academy’s staff and is available to download from the right-hand side of this page.

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