Tests in illegal laboratories
1.8.2011
Question for written answer E-007712/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Cristiana Muscardini (PPE)
The Guardia di Finanza police and the guards of the Anti-Vivisection League (LAV) recently discovered and seized an unauthorised animal testing laboratory in the province of Modena that was operating in poor sanitary conditions. Mice, rabbits and hamsters were being killed for histological tests or were forced to undergo laboratory testing to obtain certification for medical devices to be used in healthcare. The vet, the company director and his wife were all charged with mistreatment of animals.
Can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.Has it heard of any similar incidents in other EU countries? If so, what action was taken?
- 2.The existence of illegal laboratories means that products that can cause irreparable damage to users' health can be placed on the market. Does it not think that tougher measures should be taken against anyone who circumvents the rules?
- 3.Does it not agree that greater checks need to be carried out on whether existing laws on animal testing for drugs are genuinely being implemented?
- 4.Given the ease with which ‘fake’ drugs are produced, could the Commission not impose more stringent and transparent procedures on pharmaceutical companies, requiring them to print the words ‘clinically tested’, ‘not tested on animals’ and similar such wording on their medical packaging?
OJ C 146 E, 24/05/2012