Francisco Guerreiro MEP questions Commission on the transportation of animals used for scientific purposes

Brussels, July 20, 2023 - Francisco Guerreiro MEP has sent a letter to the European Commission asking about data on the transport of animals used for scientific purposes to and within the EU.

Read the letter below:

Subject: Transportation of animals used for scientific purposes

Although Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations aims to cover the commercial transport of all live vertebrate animals, most of its provisions concern only the welfare of certain farmed terrestrial species. Despite the stress, suffering and increased risk of injury to which animals transported for scientific purposes are subjected, there are virtually no measures to ensure their welfare.

There is also no data on the transportation of animals used for scientific purposes to and within the EU, with the exception of some very limited information that can be found in EU and Member State statistical reports on the use of animals for scientific purposes.

1. What (statistical) information does the Commission have on the transportation of animals used for scientific purposes, other than the limited information provided in the above-mentioned EU and Member State reports? How does the Commission intend to better monitor and evaluate the transportation of these animals, and how can it better report on this transportation?

2. What (species-specific) requirements for animals used for scientific purposes does the Commission intend to include in the revision of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005?

Read the Commission's response below:

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