European concepts on the use of laboratory animals in relationship with animal welfare problems

Abstract

Within the Council of Europe which consists of 21 European countries, a draft convention for the protection of animals used for experimental purposes, based on Recommendation 621 (1971) of its Parliamentary Assembly, is being drawn up in Strasbourg (France) by the Committee of Experts for the Protection of Animals. Regulations (e.g.: refinement of experimental procedures), techniques (e.g.: restrictions of experiments) and ethics (e.g.: use of replacement methods) are subject to international discussions among repreentatives of member states and observers from the European Economic Community and the United States of America, in order to propose equitable national provisions and prevent later economic distortions. European concepts that concern all human activities which deal with the use of live laboratory animals, experimental and administrative procedures (e.g.: registration, authorization, licensing, supervision) and compliance with a Code of Ethics governing experiments, should obtain the uninamous support of countries using laboratory animals. Furthermore, European countries emphasize the importance of: staff training and qualifications; public information; setting up advisory committees with scientists and animal welfare societies; using animals bred for experimental purposes; prohibiting unnecessary experiments; and the importance of veterinary supervision in implementing regulations in European countries.