Ireland given second Commission warning on animal experiments
28 June 2002 - 28 June 2002
The European Commission is sending a second written warning to Ireland asking it to comply with a 2001 European Court of Justice ruling on the animal experiments directive.
The ruling says that Ireland uses too narrow a definition of the term 'experiment,' which does not cover, for example, certain types of genetic experimentation. The court also ruled that the financial penalties put in place for those who breach the required safeguards are too small to be an effective deterrent.
The Commission says Ireland has not yet informed the Commission of any steps it has taken to comply with the ruling, despite a first written warning sent in March this year. At that time, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said: 'I am disappointed that Ireland has not yet taken steps to bring its 19th-century legislation fully into line with EU rules on animal experiments.'
The animal experiments directive aims to put in place Community-wide provisions for the protection of animals used in experiments and other scientific work. These include controls on breeding centres for laboratory animals and provisions regarding housing, freedom of movement and measures to prevent pain and undue suffering.
The Reasoned Opinion given to Ireland requires it to comply with the court ruling within two months. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to bring the case before the European Court of Justice for a second time and impose a daily penalty.For further information on infringements in general, please consult the following web address:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/droit_com/index_en.htm#infractions(opens in new window)
The ruling says that Ireland uses too narrow a definition of the term 'experiment,' which does not cover, for example, certain types of genetic experimentation. The court also ruled that the financial penalties put in place for those who breach the required safeguards are too small to be an effective deterrent.
The Commission says Ireland has not yet informed the Commission of any steps it has taken to comply with the ruling, despite a first written warning sent in March this year. At that time, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said: 'I am disappointed that Ireland has not yet taken steps to bring its 19th-century legislation fully into line with EU rules on animal experiments.'
The animal experiments directive aims to put in place Community-wide provisions for the protection of animals used in experiments and other scientific work. These include controls on breeding centres for laboratory animals and provisions regarding housing, freedom of movement and measures to prevent pain and undue suffering.
The Reasoned Opinion given to Ireland requires it to comply with the court ruling within two months. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to bring the case before the European Court of Justice for a second time and impose a daily penalty.For further information on infringements in general, please consult the following web address:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/droit_com/index_en.htm#infractions(opens in new window)