Press Release: Commission consults public and experts on the welfare of laboratory animals

The European Commission on 19 June 2006 launched a 9-week long internet consultation of citizens and experts to hear their views on how to increase the welfare of animals used in experiments. The existing legislation needed to be updated to further improve the welfare of experimental animals and to ensure a level playing field for those carrying out animal experiments. The European Commission therefore intended to make a proposal for a revision of this legislation and wanted to take the opinions of the public into consideration.