The European Parliament did not restrict the conduct of experiments on animals

The European Parliament did not consider it necessary to impose restrictions on scientific experiments on animals. This opinion was reached on Tuesday by the majority of deputies at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. By 540 votes to 66 against, they approved the relevant content of the report presented by the representative of Great Britain, Neil Parish.

The report, in particular, pointed out that it makes no sense to limit experiments on animals, including primates, given the need for urgent development of highly effective medicines. First of all, we are talking about medicines needed to treat a number of cancers, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Thus, having expressed its opinion on animal experiments, the European Parliament amended the proposal submitted to it by the European Commission in November 2008. In particular, the European Commission advocated a broad restriction of experiments using a number of primate species.

At the same time, in its decision, the European Parliament clarified that it supports the termination of experiments on the so-called "great apes", unless these experiments are related to work to prevent the extinction of these species of animals.

As Neil Parish stressed, the decision taken is a compromise and does not deny the need to reduce animal experiments in general.

Every year in the European Union, about 12 million animals are used for scientific experiments.

The vote in the European Parliament caused outrage among a number of animal welfare associations. The decision of the European Parliament, however, is not final – in June, the new composition of the Parliament will have to consult with its member countries regarding the transfer of the provisions adopted in Strasbourg to their legislation.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of AMI-TASS

07.05.2009