Chapter 5 - The European Framework on Research Animal Welfare Regulations and Guidelines

Abstract

The protection, care, and use of laboratory animals in Europe are covered mainly by international documents at the levels of the Council of Europe and the European Union: the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes, European Treaty Series 123 and Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September, 2010 on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes, respectively. Both documents are closely related in contents, although their implementation across Europe is variable for political, legal, and practical reasons. European countries may have additional requirements in place at national or even regional levels. The result is a highly regulated environment especially within the European Union. Other expert organizations such as Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations, European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians, and European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine publish recommendations and guidelines on particular topics that are not well defined in the legislation, to help improve and harmonize the animal care and use. The main features of the European Convention and European Directive are described.