Protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes

PURPOSE : to revise Directive 86/609/EEC concerning the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. LEGISLATIVE ACT : Directive 2003/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 86/609/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. CONTENT : to recall, on 23 March 1998 the Council adopted Decision 1999/575/EC concerning the conclusion by the Community of the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes is the implementing tool for Council of Europe Convention on the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, of which the Community is a Party. Annex II to Directive 86/609/EEC containing guidelines for accommodation and care of animals takes over Appendix A to the Convention. The provisions contained in Appendix A to the Convention and the Annexes to the said Directive are of a technical nature. It is the aim of this Directive to ensure the consistency of the Annexes to Directive 86/609/EEC with the latest scientific and technical developments and results of research within the fields covered. Currently, changes to the Annexes can only be adopted by the long-drawn-out co-decision procedure with the consequence that their content is lagging behind the latest developments in the field. The Council of Europe has opened for signature and ratification a "Protocol of Amendment" to the Convention. It provides for amending the Appendices of the Convention by a simplified procedure rather than by the usual procedure that involves ratification by all parties. As stated, this would allow the Convention to keep up-to-date with the latest scientific knowledge and research on the welfare of laboratory animals quicker than today. This Directive shall amend Directive 86/609/EEC and bring it in line with the Protocol of Amendment. A regulatory committee procedure for a quicker introduction of changes to the Annexes of the Directive shall be set up. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 16/09/2003. IMPLEMENTATION : 16/09/2004.�