Animal Aid

From Advocates for Animals, Animal Aid, Animal Defenders International, Dr Hadwen Trust, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Uncaged

25th March 2009

Dear Mr Parish MEP,

As the lead member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, you have a key role in shaping the new law that will govern animal experiments across the European Union. The way you vote on March 31st could determine the fate of millions of animals.

You have already taken the extremely positive and welcome step of signing Written Declaration 40/2007 – which called for an end to the use of great apes and wild caught monkeys, as well as a timetabled phase-out of the use of all primates. We thank you for endorsing this important, ethical initiative. The Commission has also recognised that primate use is a matter of grave concern and introduced measures to reflect the Declaration in its proposal.

However, your draft report contained amendments that would seriously jeopardise protection for animals in laboratories. We know that there are powerful industry lobbyists working in Europe whose aim is to minimise regulation of animal experiments, which they portray as ‘unnecessary red tape’. However, we would urge you to take a principled stand when voting commences.

In particular, we urge you to support:

• A ban on the use of great apes and wild caught monkeys, and a timetabled phase-out of the use of F1 (first generation to be born in captivity) monkeys.
• All amendments that ensure that primate experiments are regularly and thematically reviewed, with a view to establishing timetables to end them.
• Independent scrutiny of all experiments before they are undertaken.
• All amendments that would lead to greater transparency and accountability.
• All amendments that would improve and enforce data sharing.
• All amendments that ensure replacement of animals is at the heart of this Directive, including those seeking to establish national and EU centres for alternative methods.

On behalf of a public that wants progressive, state-of-the-art, animal-free science, thank you for doing all you can to support animal protection measures.