Share thisOn February 16, 2010, the office of the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, reported it has started an investigation on the Commission’s study on the use of non-human primates, including chimpanzees, in research1.
In 2007, the European Parliament asked the Commission to develop alternatives to the use of non-human primates in scientific experiments. In May 2009, the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) complained that the procedures the European Commission and its Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) used to develop such alternatives were flawed. Specifically, ECEAE complained that the SCHER’S working group a) did not have sufficient expertise in research involving non-human primates, and b) had not considered adequately evidence that interest groups had provided it about alternatives to the use of non-human primates in research.
In an effort to address this policy in a transparent manner, the Ombudsman asked the Commission to report to him by April 30, 2010 on how it selected the experts of the working group, and how SCHER had considered all relevant contributions from third parties on this subject.
References
- 1. Ombudsman opens investigation into Commission study on use of non-human primates in research. Press release no. 6/2010. February 16, 2010. http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/press/release.f aces/en/4616/ html.bookmark
Veterinarian Moshe Shalev, MSc (Genetics), VMD, is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. A recognised expert in medicine, management, and facility designs of small, farm, and exotic laboratory animals, he publishes regularly on animal welfare regulations.