Following the European Commission's Communication published in response to the European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Vivisection", the JRC's Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM) is conducting a public survey to solicit input from individuals and organisations to identify all types of knowledge sources that might be relevant for Replacing, Reducing or Refining (the '3Rs') the use of animals for scientific purposes.
On March 2015, Stop Vivisection, a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) collected 1,170,000 signatures to ask for the replacement of animal testing with more accurate, reliable, human-relevant methods : the text of the ECI requested 'the abrogation of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and to put forward a new proposal aimed at phasing out the practice of animal experimentation, making compulsory the use -in biomedical and toxicological research - of data directly relevant for the human species.'
On June 2015, the European Commission answered with the publication of a communication . That text underlined that, 'for the time being, animal experimentation remains important for protecting human and animal health, and for maintaining an intact environment. (…) The Commission does not intend to submit a proposal to repeal Directive 2010/63/EU and is not intending to propose the adoption of a new legislative framework. Fully recognising the need to further advance the scientific understanding before alternatives can be developed for all areas where testing still occurs, the Commission will continue to promote the development and implementation of alternative approaches, encourage cooperation and knowledge sharing across sectors, validate new methods and facilitate their regulatory approval.'
The objective of the survey launched on February 1st, 2016, is to understand how such knowledge on alternatives to animal testing is currently disseminated and to highlight what could be done to fill knowledge gaps and enhance knowledge sharing.
The results will provide valuable input for on-going Commission study to map data, information and knowledge resources available in different scientific fields and industry sectors that can be exploited to replace animal studies with alternative approaches not involving animals, to adapt studies to reduce the number of animals needed, or to refine studies so as to minimise pain, suffering and distress of the animal, and to improve its welfare.
Moreover, the study aims to explore how sharing of knowhow and resources could be enhanced to accelerate the overall progress in the 3Rs in every domain where animals are used for a scientific purpose, whether it is for basic biological research, toxicological testing, or for training and education. The outcome of the study will be made public by the end of 2016.
The survey will remain open until Friday 11 March 2016.
For further information
• See
Alternatives to animal testing - EU Public survey launched
on the European Commission website
