Animal Aid

Dear insert name here MEP

THE NEW ANIMAL RESEARCH DIRECTIVE:

As you know, there is a vital vote in early May of the whole European Parliament on the new Directive that will govern animal research across the EU for many years to come. Please do not betray the millions of animals used annually in lethal experiments in European laboratories – Britain included. Use your vote to provide them with the maximum protection.

The public has made clear its views. A recent public opinion poll*, carried out in six European countries, found that:

• 81% of people agreed or strongly agreed that the new law should prohibit all experiments causing pain or suffering to primates
• 79% agreed or strongly agreed that the new law should prohibit all experiments on animals that do not relate to serious or life-threatening human conditions
• 84% agreed or strongly agreed that the new law should prohibit all experiments causing severe pain or suffering to any animal

Despite this, a report by the Parliament’s Agricultural Committee seriously weakens proposals by the European Commission and undermines existing regulations in most Member States. The Committee wants to loosen controls on what experiments can take place and increase suffering for a great many animals.

I know that lobbyists representing industry and powerful academic interests have been putting pressure on MEPs. But, despite their scare stories, a healthy European medical research sector is not at odds with a regulatory regime that improves protection for animals, limits their use, and which sets as a priority the development and rapid introduction of non-animal testing and research methods – of which there are already many in existence.

Your vote in the plenary is crucial.

Please support the following amendments:

• A biannual ‘thematic’ review of primate research (with a view to eliminating experiments judged unnecessary) (Art. 8)
• A biannual thematic review of specific types of experiments and the use of specific species (Art. 53a)
• Expansion of the role of ECVAM to encourage development, training in and dissemination of alternative methods (Art 45)

Please oppose the following amendments:

• An end to the requirement to obtain formal authorisation or licensing for the majority of experiments (Articles. 35,36,37) – support the Commission’s original proposals.
• Allowing animals to suffer ‘severe and prolonged’ pain (Art. 15) – please support the Commission’s text, which reflects the arrangements already in place in some Member States.
• Reducing the scientific justification needed to experiment on monkeys (Art. 8) – please support the Commission’s original text.
• An indefinite delay to the European Commission’s proposals to stop the trapping of wild monkeys (Art. 10) – please support the Commission’s original proposal for a 7-year phase out.
• Reduction in frequency of inspections, reporting and public accountability (Art. 33) – please support the Commission’s proposal.
• Amendments to reduce the requirement for Member States to collect and produce statistical information, and reduce public access to information (Art. 45) – please support the Commission’s proposal.
• Amendment to reduce the scope of animals to be included under the Directive (Art. 2). This amendment would be a step backwards for some Member States, which already make provision for selected invertebrates where scientific evidence supports their inclusion – please support the Commission’s proposal.

During the vote, expected during the May Plenary 5-8 May, please refer to the Voting List Commentary, which will be circulated to all MEPs by Animal Defenders International.

Please vote for a modern, compassionate future.

Yours sincerely

your name and address here (it is essential to include your address as MEPs will only act on behalf of their constituents)

*The poll was commissioned by 18 animal protection organisations known as The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE). The six countries polled, during February and March, were France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the UK.