Answer given by Mr Breton on behalf of the European Commission
12.11.2020
The average annual budget for this policy objective is estimated to be EUR 45 million[1], including:
— The EU research projects on alternatives, estimated over a whole framework programme; in the Horizon 2020 programme (2014-2020) it is over EUR 40 million annually;
— The annual budget of the Joint Research Centre’s (JRCs) European Union Reference Laboratories for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM), approximately EUR 5 million in 2019 and 2020.
EURL ECVAM participates in research and development activities, undertakes and coordinates validation studies, facilitates regulatory acceptance and international adoption of alternatives, including their promotion and dissemination.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) does not have a budget directly linked to alternatives, but contributes to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) testing guidelines of regulatory relevance, and provides guidance on how to avoid unnecessary animal testing.
The budget for projects and workshops run by the European partnership for alternatives to animal testing ( EPAA) is provided by its industry members. Leading experts on alternative methods provide scientific contribution, the Commission provides experts and funds, organises regular meetings and the annual conference.
In addition to the figures mentioned, with a budget of EUR 1 million, a pilot project ‘Promoting alternatives to animal testing’ develops e-learning modules on training for animal users to apply the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use) and best practices on alternative methods.
Educational tools are also developed for high schools, universities and early career scientists. The project will be finalised by the end 2020.
Further information on the relevant activities can be found in the reports by EURL-ECVAM[2], the EPAA[3] and ECHA[4].
- [1] The Commission wishes to underline that a number of other actions and tasks such as those carried out by EMA, EFSA and various services in the European Commission contribute also to the advancement and promotion of alternatives to animal testing.
- [2] EURL-ECVAM Status Report 2019:
https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/eur-scientific-and-technical-research-reports/eurl-ecvam-status-report-development-validation-and-regulatory-acceptance-alternative-4 - [3] EPAA Annual Report 2019
https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/38804 - [4] ECHA report on the use of alternatives (Fourth report under Article 117(3) of the REACH Regulation)
https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13639/alternatives_test_animals_2020_en.pdf/b9af7cf7-4ce0-f3a1-1bcb-8de3fd84a1fb