Q: Asger Christensen (RE, DK) - Transport of research animals (2022-11-21)

Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations[1] causes problems for the transport of animals used for research purposes, even though the regulation is intended to regulate the transport of farm animals. A later directive states that research animals can be exempted from the regulation’s transport rules, but many research animals are still not exempted because they aren’t considered research animals before they arrive at the laboratory.

1.Why are animals that are solely used for research purposes not considered research animals before they arrive at the research centre?

2.In a 2011 meeting with the Danish Government, the Commission recognised that the regulation had caused unfortunate problems as regards research animals in Denmark. The Commission also stated that it wouldn’t prosecute the Danish Government if some of the rules regarding the transport of research animals were violated. If the Commission recognises that the rules are problematic in certain cases, why doesn’t it change the rules to be more suitable?

A: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

1. Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes applies where animals are used or are intended to be used in scientific procedures (Art. 1(2)). Consequently, animals transported to a research center are covered by that Directive, as well as by Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport, the only possible derogation being that sick or injured animals may be considered as fit for transport if the sickness or injury is part of a research program in the context of the Directive.

2. The Farm to Fork Strategy adopted by the Commission on 20 May 2020 announced that the
Commission will, by the end of 2023, propose a revision of the animal welfare legislation,
including Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, to align it with the latest scientific evidence, broaden its
scope and make it easier to enforce. In that context, the Commission is also exploring the need to
adapt certain rules of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 to enhance the coherence between that
Regulation and Directive 2010/63/EU.