Lab animals
A step back for lab animals.
May 2011
A step back for Lab Animals – Decision Day looms closer
Decision Day is approaching – the government has said it will announce by the end of the year how animal experiments in the UK will be controlled in the future.
Which means there is still time to make your voice count.
The RSPCA has been concerned that a new EU law could threaten the standards for lab animals in this country.
Whilst the law will actually improve things for lab animals in many EU countries – a good result – we were deeply worried that much of the progress made over recent years in the UK could be undone.
The government had originally suggested that they could simply choose to bring in the new EU law word for word – which would have seen a significant weakening of UK standards. It could have meant some labs might only be inspected every few years and some inhumane killing methods could be allowed.
During a public consultation earlier this year, 6,500 of our supporters told the government to say ‘NO’ to a step backwards.
Is the tide turning?
Early in October in a House of Lords debate, Baroness Parminter (Lib Dem) raised the issue with Minister Lord Henley. His response was: “I can give an absolute and categorical assurance that we will not be dropping our standards in any way whatever.”
This is encouraging – and suggests that we may be able to put some of our fears behind us. But nothing is yet set in stone - so we can’t let up the pressure!
Please ask your MP to sign the Early Day Motion (number 2244) calling for the UK to maintain its higher standards – and ensure they know how you feel on this subject. Thank you!
Take action
Email your MP
Find out more about this campaign.
Learn more about the use of animals in experiments.
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