More than 12.1 million animals, including mice, rabbits, primates, dogs, cats and fish, are used annually in animal experiments throughout the EU.

They are used for a variety of research purposes including safety testing of different substances - medicines, cosmetics, household products and chemicals - and for medical research into human diseases and conditions. Not only the test but also the way the animals are kept before and during the procedures and housing conditions can cause considerable stress and suffering.

EU Directive 86/609 was adopted in 1986 to protect and reduce the numbers of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes and to promote the development of alternatives to animal use. It states that experiments should not be performed on animals if a scientifically satisfactory alternative is reasonably available.

The European Parliament held its much anticipated first reading plenary vote on the revision of Directive 86/609 (the Animal Experimentation Directive) on 5 May 2009.

MEPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Neil Parish report, thereby adopted a rather cautious approach: restricting animal use, but without groundbreaking progress. Click here to read Eurogroup's press release following the vote.

Eurogroup had been urging the European Commission to publish the new legislation as a matter of urgency for a significant amount of time and is pleased to see it has finally been published.

Eurogroup called for the revised directive to:

European Union

Directive 86/609

Revision of Directive 86/609

Commission statistical reports (Jan. 05)

Housing and care guidelines (Jun. 07)