Transport of research animals

21.11.2022

Priority question for written answer  P-003762/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Asger Christensen (Renew)

Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations[1] causes problems for the transport of animals used for research purposes, even though the regulation is intended to regulate the transport of farm animals. A later directive states that research animals can be exempted from the regulation’s transport rules, but many research animals are still not exempted because they aren’t considered research animals before they arrive at the laboratory.

• 1.Why are animals that are solely used for research purposes not considered research animals before they arrive at the research centre?
• 2.In a 2011 meeting with the Danish Government, the Commission recognised that the regulation had caused unfortunate problems as regards research animals in Denmark. The Commission also stated that it wouldn’t prosecute the Danish Government if some of the rules regarding the transport of research animals were violated. If the Commission recognises that the rules are problematic in certain cases, why doesn’t it change the rules to be more suitable?

Submitted: 21.11.2022

• [1] OJ L 3, 5.1.2005, p. 1.