Towards a science-based EU action plan to end the use of animals in research and testing - fast lane for animal protection or roadblock for scientific progress?

In September 2021 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on plans and actions to accelerate the transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education. This resolution calls upon the Commission, together with stakeholders and Member States, to draw up an EU-wide action plan, with the aim to drive the active phase-out by reducing, refining and replacing procedures using live animals for scientific and regulatory purposes; as soon as scientifically possible and without lowering the level of protection for human health and the environment. The resolution of the European Parliament calls for a science-based discussion to both foster animal welfare and drive technological innovation, and about potential risks of jeopardising Europe's top position in science and development in medical and biomedical research. The event should bring together scientific experts and stakeholders to provide insights on the state-of-play, areas for improvements and future perspectives.

PROGRAMME

14:00 - 14:10 Welcome

· Christian EHLER, MEP and STOA Chair

14:10 - 14:20 Introductory remarks

· Maria LEPTIN, President of the European Research Council (ERC)

14:20 - 14:35 Opening speech

· Laura GRIBALDO, European Union Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURLECVAM, JRC)

14:35 - 15:00 Scientific opinions

· Meritxell HUCH, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden
· Peter LOSKILL, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen
· Bart HAAGMANS, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
· Karin FORSBERG NILSSON, Dept. of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University
· Ana Isabel MOURA SANTOS, Animal Welfare Body, NOVA Medical School, Lisbon

15:00 - 15:50 Q&A session

15:50 - 16:00 Closing remarks

· Christian EHLER, MEP and STOA Chair

The event will be held in English only, without interpretation.
The event will be webstreamed, the link will be published below.