EC answers the following written questions submitted by MEP Sylwia Spurek:

1. Has the German Government's reply to the reasoned opinion that was addressed to it as a consequence of the infringement proceedings being conducted for non‐compliance of national transposing provisions with Directive 2010/63/EU already been assessed? If so, what steps does the Commission intend to take in respect of those infringements?

2. What exactly did the other infringement proceedings for non-compliance of national transposing provisions with Directive 2010/63/EU, referred to by the Commission in its reply of 31 January 2020, concern and how were they completed?

3. Is there a cyclical procedure for monitoring the correct implementation of Directive 2010/63/EU in order to ensure its full transposition and implementation in all Member States? If so, how often and in what way is such control carried out?

The Commission answered: In March 2020, the German Government updated its September 2019 reply. The Commission has not yet decided on the next steps in the procedure.

So far, three of the fifteen infringement procedures have been closed because the Member States concerned have now correctly transposed Directive 2010/63/EU. In relation to three Member States, the Commission has sent reasoned opinions whereas the remaining Member States remain at letter of formal notice stage.

As the provisions of the directive which the Member States concerned had not correctly transposed vary, the Commission refers the Honourable Member to its relevant press releases.

As guardian of the Treaties and in line with its commitment in response to the European Citizens Initiative ‘Stop Vivisection’, the Commission assesses the conformity of the transposition of Directive 2010/63/EU into national legislation.

The launching of EU Pilot investigations by the Commission and subsequent infringement procedures have already resulted in some Member States bringing their laws into line with the directive. However, for some other Member States, this work is not yet completed. The correct transposition of EU legislation is a matter of priority in the enforcement actions of the Commission.

Moreover, the Commission monitors the implementation of the directive in line with its Article 54(1). On the basis of Member States’ reports, required to be submitted every five years, the Commission publishes a Union overview.

The first Commission report assessing the implementation of the directive was published in February 2020. The next EU report is due in 2024.