Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:17 pm
Very true, they are not interested in the welfare of the poor labratory animals! Thank you Joanna.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:20 pm
There were more than 10 speakers in parliament debate last night and only 2 MEPs spoke in favour of animals: Chatzimarkakis Jorgo from Germany and Caroline Lucas from UK.
MEPs were clear that the AGRI amendments are supposed to help scientists and to keep money from animal research in Europe.
Today MEPs accepted the proposal of directive what means that:
"- Researchers could be allowed to cause animals suffering which is both severe and prolonged, an obscenity in a civilised society

- They will be allowed to repeatedly use the same animal in painful experiments

- They will be able to use non-human primates for just about any purpose, not simply life-threatening or debilitating diseases as the Commission proposed

- There will be no incentive to stop the capture of primates in the wild, which causes them immense distress, for breeding for research

- Researchers will in effect be allowed to determine for which experiments they need governmental permission, by deciding how to categorise the likely suffering

- They will not have to carry out retrospective assessments of experiments – whether from the animal welfare or scientific point of view – in the vast majority of cases

- There will be no strategy to bring forward the day when animal experiments no longer take place, as everyone claims they want

Michelle Thew, chief executive of the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments, commented:

‘MEPs have shown themselves to be completely out of step with public opinion. A recent opinion survey by YouGov across 6 EU countries found overwhelming support to end the use of primates, cats and dogs in experiments causing suffering, and animal experiments to be allowed - if at all - only for serious human illnesses. The Parliament has produced a charter for the multibillion pound animal research industry to carry on business as usual, with scant regard either for animal welfare or public opinion.

The struggle for justice for the 12 million animals used in laboratories every year now moves to the Council of Ministers. We will not give up on them, even if many MEPs have’."

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:24 pm
and press release from EU Parliament:
"For obvious ethical reasons, the use of animals in scientific experiments needs to be limited and their welfare improved. But this must be done without hindering research in Europe into fighting diseases, says the European Parliament in a legislative report adopted by MEPs in Strasbourg.
Around 12 million animals are used for scientific research in the EU every year. This number should be reduced to a minimum and any planned tests subjected to compulsory ethical assessment, to take account of the public's concerns, according to a draft directive that has be approved under the co-decision procedure by the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.

MEPs today adopted in plenary, by a majority of 540 to 66, with 34 abstentions, a first-reading report by Neil Parish (EPP-ED, UK) broadly backing these goals.

"We all want to see animal tests reduced. However, European citizens quite rightly demand the best and most effective medicines", Mr Parish said. "The Parliament report makes it clear exactly when testing on animals should be allowed and under what circumstances. It strikes a compromise between ensuring that research can continue in the EU and improving animal welfare", he added.

Great apes to be used only to conserve the species

In particular, MEPs endorsed a ban on the use of great apes (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans), who are threatened with extinction, except for experiments intended to conserve these species.

However, some aspects of the proposal, which would drastically restrict the use of primates such as ouistitis and macaques, could penalise European research to the advantage of its American or Asian competitors, which are less strict on animal welfare. The House therefore amended the directive to make it better balanced and enable medical research to go ahead. At the same time it suggested measures to promote alternatives to animal testing.

Using fewer primates without compromising the fight against serious diseases

The reports rejects the idea that tests using non-human primates should be restricted to "life-threatening or debilitating" conditions, as this would seriously hinder research into, among other diseases, some forms of cancer, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. It points out that other European and international guidelines require that some drugs be tested on primates before they are approved, and says that tests using these animals should continue to be allowed in medical research as a whole. Also, the Commission should conduct a review of the use of non-human primates in scientific experiments every two years after the entry into force of the directive.

Feasibility studies before animal captures are halted

MEPs support the goal of putting an end to the capturing of wild animals (F0 colonies, in the jargon) by using second-generation specimens born in laboratories (F2) instead, but views differ over the possibility of setting up such colonies in the near future. MEPs therefore want the Commission to carry out feasibility studies to check whether the supply of animals will be enough for EU research purposes. Meanwhile they believe a transition period of ten years is needed instead of the seven years envisaged by the Commission.

Classification of the severity of tests

MEPs also adopted amendments to clarify the text of the legislation, giving definitions for the three categories of pain inflicted during a test ("up to mild", "moderate" or "severe"). To avoid repeated suffering, the Commission wants to allow the same animals to be re-used only if the test entails pain classed as "up to mild". MEPs, however, believe that applying criteria that are too strict would result in even more animals being used for tests, which would defeat the object. They therefore ask for animals to be re-usable if the test entails "moderate" pain. This would include blood tests or implants performed under anaesthetic.

More effort to devise alternative methods

One of the key features of the directive on reducing the number of tests on animals is the development of alternative methods. However, the directive is unclear about the role in this area of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods. MEPs believe the centre should be expanded to give it a genuine role in coordinating and promoting the development and use of methods that can replace animal testing. They add that the Commission and Member States must provide material support for the development of such new experimental approaches.

More transparency without increasing red tape

Other amendments seek to spell out the requirements for transparency regarding any tests performed and to prevent red tape which would bring little animal welfare benefit.

In particular, MEPs want the prior authorisations required for animal tests to be limited to projects where the pain would be "moderate" or "severe" or to those carried out on primates.

Also, they do not want the directive to cover larval forms and embryonic or foetal forms other than mammals, because of the complications of counting and recording the thousands of eggs laid by some female fish or amphibian species.

The text approved by MEPs stresses that the directive will not prevent Member States from applying or adopting stricter national measures to improve the well-being and protection of animals used for scientific purposes.

Next steps after the elections

Owing to end-of-legislature calendar constraints, it has not been possible to conduct talks with the Council of Ministers with a view to reaching a first-reading agreement before the European elections in June. It will therefore be up to the newly-elected Parliament to confirm or amend the outgoing Parliament's position and negotiate with Member State representatives in order to conclude work on this directive. "

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:26 pm
For Immediate Release: 05/05/09 – By: ECEAE European Coalition to End Animal Experiments
European ombudsman asked to investigate ‘deeply flawed and biased’ report about monkeys in research as the European Parliament considers animal experimentation law

The European Ombudsman has today been asked to investigate a complaint that a report by the European Commission into experiments on non-human primates is scientifically flawed and biased. The charge is made by the EU-wide European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE), which has submitted a 26-page complaint.

The submission of this complaint coincides with the plenary vote due to take place in the EU Parliament on Tuesday 5th May concerning revision of EU Directive 86/609 that governs animal experimentation. The trade and use of primates in research within the EU is one of the controversial issues to be voted on.

In May 2008, the Commission asked one of its standing scientific committees, the Scientific Committee on Health and Scientific Risks (SCHER), to conduct an inquiry into whether primate research works and the alternatives to it. The inquiry was in part a response to a written declaration signed by no fewer than 433 MEPs in 2007 calling on the Commission to bring forward proposals to replace primate use.

In fact, the Commission’s proposals, based on SCHER’s report which strongly backed primate use and played down the role and potential of alternatives, contain nothing to phase out primate use. A further change by a key committee of the European Parliament would allow primate use for just about any purpose. The full Parliament will vote on this and other aspects of animal experiments on 5th May. The ECEAE’s main complaints are:

• Neither SCHER nor the working group it set up had the necessary expertise in primate research nor in alternative techniques. Most of the working group members were animal researchers (but not primate researchers). Only one member had (limited) expertise in alternatives to primate use. Contrary to its own procedures, the Commission refused even to disclose who was on the working group until after SCHER produced its report.

• SCHER simply assumed that primate research works without analyzing the evidence. The Commission agrees that this was a key part of its function

• SCHER ignored huge amounts of peer-reviewed evidence submitted by the ECEAE and numerous other animal protection and patient safety organisations casting serious doubt on whether primate research works. This covers such important areas as AIDS, strokes, malaria and Parkinson’s disease. For example: not one of the 85 or more candidate AIDS vaccines tested successfully on primates has worked in patients; over 1,000 potential neuroprotective stroke treatments have been tested in animal models but none of the 150 which have progressed to human trials has proved successful.

• Similarly, SCHER dealt dismissively and cursorily with the substantial amount of evidence submitted about the existing and potential application of alternatives, including neuroimaging and computer modeling.

Michelle Thew, chief executive of the ECEAE commented:

‘A recent opinion poll by YouGov in the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy and the Czech Republic showed that 81% of people are opposed to experiments on primates causing pain or suffering. This issue is enormously important not only for animal welfare but also for human health. It is truly unforgivable that the EU should come up with such a one-sided and unscientific report, from a working group packed with inexpert animal researchers. We are asking the ombudsman to order the Commission to set up a proper scientific inquiry as a matter of urgency’.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:36 pm
because of that I can't be happy today of the seals products ban.
Besides it's obvious that the great campaign and support for seals works and what's more important EU countries have no money from seal slaughter!
They accepted the ban because EU citizens wanted it - so it's enough at one plenary session
as they said in debate last night about animal experiments: not citizens' opinion is important but scientisits' future and EU money.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 1:54 pm
Thank you Joanna for all the updates and all your tireless work for the poor labratory animals of this world

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:11 pm
Its all about the money....let the animals suffer as long as it benefits mankind....and they can make money from exploiting animals for whatever purposes. MAKES ME SICK! I'm still emailing although I do not live in the EU areas.....these animals are sent to US labs as well so it needs to be stopped! Thanks Joanna

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:20 pm
We must continue to speak the them. With pressure and constant harassing from people who care it's a matter of time before they change. Sadly, our dear furfriends still suffer until it's changed. Thank you Joanna.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:27 pm
Very sad but the result is what i'd expected...
Thanks Joanna.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:33 pm
i am so sick of these attitudes. seems we are going backwards

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:34 pm
Dusty all the companies and big pharmas which earn money on animal experiments are everywhere!! And there are opinions that if EU will ban some experiments, the companies will move labs to US or better to Asia.
But the fact is that EU is watching US and US is watching EU - I believe if one of them will addopt a ban on primates experiments the other will follow....
And yes we have to speak out - it's time to replace animal experiments with new technologies which will benefit not only animals but all those people who suffer waiting for effective medicaments.
Some people still think that if animal experiments were good 50 years ago they will still the best method in medical science ...

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 2:45 pm
Very disappointing,but when it comes to money,the Meps are as blind as can be.
We must keep on the pressure,suffering and dying of lab animals is a huge global problem,and there is too little awareness in the world of the useless suffering of lab animals.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 3:03 pm
I am French and it is now more than 20 years I am figting with an association to stop vivisection in France . Sadly our govern doesn't support animals associations . There is a lot to do in our country to change the mentalities . A long road still before we can stop those unstandable tortures . I feel ashamed for my country !

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 3:33 pm
This is really bad news. Money talks and the animals suffer. I wish a plague would wipe out these monsters!

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 5:26 pm
Noted with disgust and anger. Thanks for letting us know this Joanna.

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 6:30 pm
Appalling news. Shame on these "people"

Tuesday May 5, 2009, 6:33 pm
Noted, Thank you Joanna for you tireless work.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 1:21 am
The EU Parliament sucks!

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 1:33 am
sickened but not surprised!!there's still too much apathy from people who say they're against it but won't take the time to sign petitions etc.you only have to look at the membership of the groups on care2,hundreds in some cases,and yet it's always just the same few that bother to sign.it breaks my heart.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 1:52 am
As i,ve always said judge people by the way they treat animals, and these heartless people make me ashamed to be a human. I cant bear to think of those poor animals suffering any longer, And these scum run our Countries? God help us.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 2:01 am
What a horrible day...

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 3:26 am
I was reading that in the Cancer research foundation manifesto it states that when a cure is found they will no longer exist. Year after year people give money for them to do there experiments and cures are not found. Humans animals have to go through terrible treaments look at chemotherapy its mustard gas which was used in the first world war.

Of course these foundations know what the cure is they know by now the diets and lifestyle drinking smoking drugging artifical sweetners immunisations which contribute to cancer but do they get rid of these things???No Because to get rid of them would mean they would cease to exist and they wouldnt be getting the grants and money from Joe public.

Now and again they will say we have found this food produces health or this substance causes cancer but what do they do with it they still continue to give people chemotherapy which has a less than three percent cure if you can call it that rate. Alnernative practitioners are called quacks for wanting to treat people in a different more human less painful way some have great success with there treatments but this is surpressed and ridiculed by the mainstream doctors, etc.
Why do I bring this up its because most of the Experiments on animals are not needed they know the answer to the results so why keep the cruelty up.
Its all a shame and millions of pounds are poured into these foundations probably set up by the people who most of our money gravitates to. Me I know longer give to charity because I read that a billion was given to Afganistan to rebuild it well where is it??? Why are people poor around the world when so much money is given why are people still full of disease when they know the answers??? Eugenics read up on the elites agenda.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 3:28 am
Unbearable......

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 3:31 am
what a sickening result for the poor lab animals .thank you joanna .thanks to everyone who signed petitions and wrote to your m e p s we must keep trying

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 7:25 am
Is the E.U. for or against animal protection??? The animal right activist are claiming victory over the E.U. voting on a seal band, but complaining that they are against the animals when it comes to research, I think that the E.U. is just like the U.S. when it comes down to money and politics!!!
If we outlawed all animal testing, how long would it be before human testing was the norm??? Money talks, and B.S. walks!!! The lobbyist with the most money always win, it's the capitalistic way, money is sacred, life is expendable!!! The only thing that the government ever protects, is it's own interest, not the animals, nor it's citizens!!! I was experimented on while I was in prison, for attempting to legalize Marijuana/Hemp, many feel that Hippies are but animals, an treat us as such, but that is legal!!! What a sick and twisted world in which we live!!! Follow the money trail, you just might be shocked, as to who is behind this division, and diversion!!!

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 7:52 am
I can't even read the story right now it makes me so sick. I'll mark it and go back later and you can bet I'll be emailing. I guess it was easy for them to oppose seal products cuz that's Canada's problem but when it comes to taking a progressive and moral stand on their own turf its the money. Chief Dubie, in complete agreement with you.

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 9:58 am
Jeanette and Chief you're right in 100%
what's worse Polly is right as well - why it all happens? because we allow for that - governments and media spread lies and propaganda and people just take it without any doubts

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 10:56 am
I just got some explanation (??):
Thank you for raising your concerns with me over the revision of the Animal Testing Directive.
The final, crucial vote took place yesterday and sadly we lost many of the key amendments that I feel are vital to ensuring the high levels of animal protection we in Europe should be pushing for.

My Labour colleague Brian Simpson MEP, who led on this issue for our Party, has tried to find a good balance between his own strong animal welfare concerns and the needs of people suffering from serious medical conditions for whose main hope of relief depends on the continued use of animals in advancing our scientific and medical understanding.

Regrettably I believe that many of the key proposals were watered down by the European Parliament out of fear that the research industry would leave Europe if too many demands were placed on our research establishments. My view is that many of those demands are essential if we in Europe are to ensure high levels of animal protection.

There were two crucial issues for Labour MEPs ahead of the votes. Firstly we wanted to move European research away from its reliance on the capture of monkeys from the wild for breeding purposes. I believe that Europe needs to take a strong line on this, leading the way in reducing pressure on wild populations and preventing the cruelty associated with the trade in wild primates.

Secondly we fully supported the need for authorisation of all experiments involving animals by a central, competent authority. Authorisation of all projects is key to at least two of the principles that guide my thinking behind the revision of the rules on animal testing; that we reduce the number of animals used in experiments and that animals are replaced with alternative methods of testing wherever possible.

Not only did we lose on these two issues, but also on the issue of protecting animals from enduring pain that is both severe and prolonged. I feel very uncomfortable with the notion that we should allow animals to feel severe pain that is prolonged. Sadly the European Parliament missed the opportunity to take a strong line on animal protection.

There were some positive things to come out from the report, most crucially the push for the development and investment in alternatives to animal testing and the biannual, thematic review to establish replacement strategies for primate use, both of which I see as crucial in moving our research away from its reliance on animals, particularly primates.

For this reason I took the difficult decision to abstain on the final vote on the report as I did not want to vote against these important provisions but at the same time I could not support a report that diluted so many of the other important provisions put forward by the Commission. It will now be the responsibility of the next Parliament to confirm or amend the outgoing Parliament's position and negotiate with Member State representatives in order to conclude work on this directive.

You may be interested to hear some positive animal welfare news from the European Parliament, following the vote yesterday on banning seal products from the EU. Labour MEPs successfully pushed through proposals for a comprehensive ban on the trade in seal products, ending the European market for this cruel trade in more than 350,000 seals killed annually. Please be assured that Labour MEPs will continue to fight on animal welfare issues in the next parliament.

Thank you again for writing to me on this important issue.
Best wishes,
Claude Moraes MEP
Labour MEP for London

yes, yes we know about the ban on import (not trade) of seal products

Wednesday May 6, 2009, 12:24 pm
Noted~ Sadly, again money causes the danger and cruelty to our poor, sweet animals.
Tx Joanna for your work.

Thursday May 7, 2009, 4:16 am
so sorry to hear you were mistreated like that Chief, it's not right to man or animals, mistreatment of life should not happen to any living creature. we are just so immune to it happening to animals, we take it as the norm, but it's anything but normal to use animals as we ourselves would not want to be used, for testing, food, or skins.
we won't give up, as long as we can breath, for them and for ourselves.

Thursday May 7, 2009, 8:20 am
Shella, I agree that animal testing is barbaric, but I firmly believe, that if outlawed, that Humans then selves will be tested!!! That would not be bad in it's self, as long as they have a choice, are well informed, and well compensated!!! However after serving 5 years in prison, for trying to get a marijuana cultivation case in the supreme court, to no avail, I witnessed first hand the diabolical experiments, and research on us, against our wills, or supposed knowledge, like we were now the guinea pegs, the lab rats!!! D.O.C., has become DR. FRANKENSTEIN, the prison, his laboratory, and the convicted, his RATS!!! Some feel, that we were sent to prison as punishment, yet others act as we were sent to prison to be punished!!! My wife and I have both served time, and now we have severe problems, is that justice??? Are we just the animals now??? Where are the petitions, to protect us "HEATHEN ANIMALS"??? DOES NO ONE REALLY CARE??? ARE CONVICTS, NOW LESS THAN ANIMALS??? WITH NO PROTECTION AS HUMAN OR ANIMAL???
YES THIS IS A CRY FOR HELP, THE SALEM HIPPIE HUNT, IS GENOCIDE, THE GOVERNMENT IS THE TERRORIST, AND EVERYONE IS SO DIVIDED, AND SO CONCERNED WITH OTHER AFFAIRS, THAT WE HAVE BECOME THE BLAME/ SCAPEGOAT FOR ALL OF SOCIETIES PROBLEMS!!! EVERYONE WANTS TO DEFEND TO "POOR" DEFENCELESS ANIMALS, BUT WALK OVER THE "POOR" OL PEACE LOVIN HIPPIES!!!
http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=21011&pst=1204776

Thursday May 7, 2009, 8:34 am
UNITHASIA: the humane way to dispose of unwanted animals!!!
Why can't the government just give me the same respect, and just shoot me in the head, since I'm so evil for trusting in nature!!!
MY WIFE'S PUNISHMENT: IS MORE THAN I CAN BEAR!!!
FINE PAID, TIME SERVED, UNFORGIVEN FOR LIFE!!!!!

Thursday May 7, 2009, 10:03 am
We must therefore vote for animal lovers only into our most senior positions, people that will hear the voice of the animals and us... These people are just so high up on their thrones, that they are no sodding earthly good... let's vote them out of office...

Thursday May 7, 2009, 11:18 am
I always say NOBODY should be treated like this - NOBODY and I think it's clear. I don't agree with those who say drugs should be tested on prisoners instead on animals.
People were/are and probably will be needed for drugs testing (the last part of trials) but as volunteers (most often those who actually need the drugs). People are needed for research and also their organs/tissues - that's why donnors are needed as well.

And Chief what can I say - for me it all is a question of respect for LIVE and other beings - if somebody can torture people then can torture animals and vice versa.
Why such things are possible? - because we don't care.... we have no idea what happens in prisons, what happens in animal labs etc.
we don't care

Thursday May 7, 2009, 11:54 am
" EU Parliament fails critical test to improve animal protection legislation
More than 12 million animals are used in experiments in the EU each year. Commenting on today's vote on revising the existing 1986 EU Directive to regulate animal testing, Caroline Lucas, co-sponsor of a written declaration in 2006 (1) and Vice-President of Parliament's intergroup on animal protection, commented:
"You don't need a microscope to spot the blatant flaws in the revision to animal testing legislation that was approved by European Parliament today. We had hoped for a better report from Neil Parish, who seemed more tuned into industry concerns than his role as President of the European Parliament's animal welfare intergroup.

A majority of MEPs chose to rubber stamp his flawed report and reject critical improvements tabled by the Greens that could have secured long overdue changes to the rules.

Authorisation rules will now have a limited scope to experiments classed as 'moderate' and 'severe' in terms of distress and harm they cause to animals. The revision means that all other experiments get a carte blanche and will no longer be subject to a centrally-monitored ethical review. It takes a leap of faith to believe that the legislation is truly acting to underpin the three Rs of reduction, refinement and replacement when the vast majority of experiments will now slip the net.

Those MEPs who are claiming today's vote is a step forward for protection of great apes are neglecting to mention that Parliament also approved an amendment meaning testing on primates need not to be linked to life-threatening conditions in human beings. This opens the door to non-essential use of primates in experiments.

For the sake of both the animals and for human health, it is essential that more modern, effective non-animal tests come into use as soon as possible. Unfortunately this approved revision to the legislation, after 23 years of waiting, will do precious little to speed up the process."

Tuesday May 12, 2009, 5:32 am
How can these people enjoy the suffering of animals. How would those people feel if they were being tortured.?

Sunday May 31, 2009, 8:24 am
they are all the same, politians, IGNORANTS!!!!!!!