Protection of animals used in scientific experiments
The EU's Agriculture Council has adopted a Decision amending the convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experiments and other scientific purposes. The move aims to simplify the procedure necessary for amending the technical appendices to the convention, enabling it to reflect the latest scientific and technical developments and results in many different fields. The Decision allows the President of the Council to designate a person to sign the protocol of amendment to the convention on behalf of the Community. The convention came into force in 1998 and is designed to protect animals used for experimental and scientific purposes from pain and distress. The convention also has the long term aim of preventing this use of animals where possible by both seeking alternative methods and encouraging their use.