Animal testing on primates and strays

1.3.2012

Question for written answer E-002365/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
Cristiana Muscardini (PPE)

The Commission is aware of the arrival of hundreds of monkeys from China in Italy for testing, not to mention the public outcry of many people who, quite rightly, have reacted resolutely and negatively, particularly given the fact that animal testing has now become repetitive, pointless and inconclusive.

Data confirming that thousands of animals are tested on every day is alarming and even the oncologist Prof. Veronesi, former Minister for Health in Italy, stated that ‘there is no scientific reason for sacrificing primates’ in the Corriere della Sera newspaper on 28 February 2012.

The Commission is therefore called upon to review Directive 2010/63/EU, which permits the use of stray animals in testing, given that it has been scientifically proven that stray animals, i.e. crossbreeds (where no family history is known), are unable to provide stable results.

OJ C 111 E, 18/04/2013