Posted by Emu under blog's category : Policy Issues

The European Council of Ministers has announced agreement on the draft Directive for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes. The new directive, now called 8869/10, will replace directive 86/609. It was revised in order to harmonise animal research legislation across European countries, and aims to strengthen the protection for animals, whilst allowing vital research to continue.

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Posted by Emu under blog's category : Policy Issues

As the election manifestos from the political parties have been published, we have been having a look to see what they have to say about animal research. Each of the three main political parties has had a variety of commitments to animal welfare for years, but what would make it onto their all-important 2010 manifestos?

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Posted by Emu under blog's category : Policy Issues

On Wednesday, the House of Lords ‘took note' of a committee report into the revision of the EU Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. This meant that the report was formally discussed and debated by interested parties within the Lords chamber. It was initially raised for debate by Lord Carter of Coles, and in total nine peers spoke of their thoughts in relation to both the revisions to the Directive and the commission report.

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Posted by Emu under blog's category : Policy Issues

This month has seen publication of the long-awaited Hampton Implementation Review Report for the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Division and Inspectorate.

The review examines the work of the Animal Sceintific Procedures Division (ASPD) and Inspectorate (ASPI), which are both part of the Home Office's Science and Research Group (SRG). Throughout the report the organisation as a whole is referred to as ASP). We believe the Review provides positive guidelines for the Home Office to take forward in future.

The Review is part of a national process which looks at the work of 36 regulators. The Reports assess how well regulators are following the principles set out by Sir Philip Hampton in 2005. The Hampton principles cover better regulation and encourage best practice by increasing openness and transparency, highlighting areas for development, and spreading good practice to other regulators.

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