Legislation
UK and European Legislation
This page provides links to reference material relevant to the use of animals in scientific procedures.
Latest news
On 8 May 2009 a public consultation was launched - the EU proposals for a new directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (new window).
The consultation ends on 3 July 2009.
UK legislation
-
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
This information is on official archives website. The link will open in a new window.
-
Guidance on the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (new window)
This information is on official archives website. The link will open in a new window.
-
Codes of Practice
Download codes of practice relating to care and housing of laboratory animals, including breeding and humane killing.
European legislation
Background
European Directive 86/609/EEC (new window)
Council Directive 86/609/EEC makes provision for the protection of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes. It is transposed into United Kingdom law by the Animals (Scientific procedures) Act 1986.
At the 19th meeting of National Competent Authorities on 29 November 2001, the European Commission announced that it intended to review and revise Directive 86/609/EEC. The Proposals for the Revision of Directive 86/609/EEC have now been published.
This is now being considered, under the European co-decision procedure, by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.
Initial work in the European Parliament (EP) has been taken forward by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (Agri). The rapporteur is the chair of the committee, Neil Parish, UK MEP for the South West of England and Gibraltar. Two other committees – Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and Industry, Research and Energy – have also considered the proposal.
Debate in the House of Commons
In the UK, the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee debated the Commission’s proposal on 3 February.
Meg Hillier, Home Office Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, opened the debate for the government and answered questions from members on the government’s approach to negotiation of the proposed directive. The proposal was also discussed in an adjournment debate on 24 February. Visit the Parliament UK website to read the Adjournment debate (new window) (new window) and the Scrutiny Committee (new window) (new window) debate.
Negotiation of the directive
A consulation on the European Commission's proposal for a new Directive to strengthen the regulation of the use of animals in scientific experiments was launched on 8 May 2009. The closing date for responses was 3 July 2009. The results will inform UK input to the negotiation of the directive.
