Press Releases

For Immediate Release: 06/07/10 – By: ECEAE

EU Council accused of issuing misleading public statement on animal testing

The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE), a coalition of animal protection groups across Europe, has accused the EU Council of Ministers of issuing a highly misleading press statement about the changes to the animal experiments directive (Directive 86/609). The ECEAE has made a formal complaint of maladminstration to the European Ombudsman against the Council.

For Immediate Release: 03/06/10 – By: ECEAE

Leading animal protection groups condemn provisional agreement on new European animal experiments law

The ECEAE (European Coalition to End Animal Experiments) has today strongly condemned an agreement reached by the 27 EU member states on what a new animal experiments law should look like.

For Immediate Release: 02/06/10 – By: ECEAE

European Agency Promotes Non-Animal Tests in Massive Chemicals Programme

London - In a move welcomed by international animal protection organisations, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has today published new guidance specifically designed to help chemical manufacturers avoid animal testing while meeting the requirements of the European Union’s new chemicals testing programme, known as REACH. Introduced in 2007, the REACH programme (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) requires chemical companies to provide safety data on tens of thousands of chemicals already in use in the EU. Experts estimate that anywhere between 7.5 and 50m animals could be used in new tests as a result. The first of several deadlines for submission of test data is in December this year.

For Immediate Release: 29/03/10 – By: ECEAE

ECEAE holds press conference in Spain on revision of EU directive

The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE), of which the BUAV is the UK member, has held a press conference in Barcelona to urge the Spanish EU Presidency to take action to solve ongoing issues with the revision of the EU Directive on animal experiments, and to ensure that restrictions on the use of animals are meaningful.

The ECEAE has been heavily involved in the revision of the EU legislation on the protection of animal experiments (Directive 86/609/EEC) from the very start. We are now at the final stages of the revision process, waiting for the adoption of the Council’s position on the Commission’s proposals. The Spanish Presidency has a key role to play in bringing the process to a satisfactory conclusion.

BUAV and ECEAE Chief Executive, Michelle Thew who spoke at the press conference states “The ECEAE urges the Spanish Presidency to improve the Directive so that it is more in line with public opinion and not the rhetoric of politicians. We also urge it to resolve to complete the process during its Presidency."

The press conference was well attended by the Spanish media.
View some of the coverage

For Immediate Release: 17/03/10 – By: ECEAE

ECEAE attends 10th Risk Assessment Committee meeting in Helsinki

The ECEAE's Scientific Coordinator, Dr Katy Taylor, is this week attending the 10th Risk Assessment Committee meeting in Helsinki. The Committee is organised by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the agency responsible for REACH. The ECEAE is a registered stakeholder and is subsidised to attend the meetings as an observer.

At this meeting animal testing for important chemicals is being discussed. The Committee decides whether chemicals in question need to be labelled as harmful or even restricted based on the findings of the animal tests specified under REACH. Worryingly, the Committee has the power to ask for more animal tests if- as often happens- the original animal tests prove to be 'inconclusive.' For example, industry may be asked to conduct more reproductive toxicity tests on other species if it cannot be proven that a chemical is not harmful based on the tests that have already been done. Given the inherent unreliability of animal tests, there is a real danger that more animal tests will be requested, depending on the substance.

It is therefore, important that the ECEAE attends these meetings so that we are aware of what animal tests are being proposed and can challenge wherever possible.

For Immediate Release: 09/02/10 – By: ECEAE

European ombudsman launches inquiry into 'deeply flawed and biased' Commission report about monkeys in research

The European Ombudsman has launched an investigation into a report by the European Commission on experiments on non-human primates (NHP). This follows a 26-page complaint submitted on 9th October 2009 by the EU-wide European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE). The coalition contends that the Commission's report is deeply scientifically flawed and biased in favour of NHP research.

For Immediate Release: 18/12/09 – By: ECEAE

Council of ministers position on the revised Directive not yet adopted

In the context of the revision of Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used in experiments, the Council of Ministers (representatives of the 27 Member States of the EU) briefly discussed this week the state of the negotiations with the European Parliament. A provisional report had been agreed earlier this month, but could not yet be considered as the final position of the Council as there are still some unresolved issues.

For Immediate Release: 05/10/09 – By: ECEAE

EU BLASTED BY CAMPAIGNERS OVER LAB ANIMAL CRUELTY – CRUCIAL MEETING ON 12 OCTOBER

The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) has today condemned the EU for ignoring public opinion after a leaked document shows that the Council of Ministers wants researchers to have the right to cause suffering to animals in laboratories which is not only severe but which is also long-lasting. Such a move would result in untold cruelty and suffering to thousands of animals across Europe.

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