“One would expect that the proposed Directive would take into account the most up to date scientific and ethical practices, however this does not seem to be the case.
“The research community will feel that their core concerns have not been respected and indeed in some areas it could even have a negative impact on animal welfare.”
The BIA has particular concerns over several aspects of the directive, but the most prominent are:
• The unnecessary regulatory burdens that it imposes on scientists that do nothing for – and in some cases worsen - animal welfare, and which will certainly drive research away from Europe to countries with low standards of animal welfare.
• The short and long term effects of the proposed directive on the ability of scientists in both industry and academia to undertake essential research that could lead to substantial benefits for human health.
The BIA will continue to work with other stakeholders to present our members’ concerns to politicians, both in the UK and Europe. It is important to ensure a balance between animal welfare and delivering health benefits for patients.
The proposed Directive will now be sent to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to be debated by MEPs and Member States respectively over the coming months.
BioIndustry Association
Established in 1989, the BIA (BioIndustry Association) exists to encourage and promote a financially sound and thriving bioscience sector within the UK economy and concentrates its efforts on emerging enterprise and the related interests of companies with whom such enterprise trades.
With over 300 members, the BIA supports a wide range of sectors, majoring on the human health benefits of the technology and represents the interests of these innovative companies to a broad section of stakeholders from patient groups to politicians, advancing its members interests both within the UK and internationally to create a healthy UK bioscience sector which benefits society. For further information, please go to: www.bioindustry.org