Day: February 7, 2024

General News, Vivisection

EU: Limited progress: revision of Annexes III and IV of Directive 2010/63/EU restricted to a few species.

Limited progress: revision of Annexes III and IV of Directive 2010/63/EU restricted to a few species

7 February 2024

On 4 January 2024, the European Commission launched a public consultation to update Annexes III and IV of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. Eurogroup for Animals welcomes the efforts to include standards for the care and accommodation of animals and acceptable methods of killing for species previously overlooked. However, we regret that the revision missed the opportunity to update existing provisions for other species.

In October 2023, the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) issued an opinion in support of a revision of Annexes III and IV of Directive 2010/63/EU, with Eurogroup for Animals contributing input in response to a call for information. Considering this opinion, the Commission launched a public consultation to revise Annexes I and III to VIII to ensure that they reflect the state of technical and scientific progress. 

We particularly welcome the newly introduced provisions addressing appropriate housing and care standards for cephalopods, zebrafish and passerine birds, as well as appropriate methods of killing cephalopods. We also applaud the prohibition of using inert gases for killing rodents, a position that we have been advocating for several years. However, the revision failed to seize the opportunity to amend the provisions in these two annexes for other species, despite our repeated calls for an update in the light of recent technical and scientific advances. 

In our response, we commented on the newly introduced provisions, while also emphasising the need to update other aspects of Annexes III and IV. In brief, we recommended the following:

For the revision of Annex III of Directive 2010/63/EU on the care and accommodation of animals used for scientific purposes:

Water quality parameters specific to each stage of development for commonly used fish species (other than zebrafish) should be included.

The minimum cage height for rats should be increased to 30 cm.

Nursing rabbits should have a nesting box with an entrance that they can close to isolate themselves from their young in order to minimise stress and aggressive behaviour. 

Dogs should always be provided with access to an outdoor run, unless there is a scientific or veterinary justification for not doing so.

The minimum time after birth that macaques are allowed to be separated from their mothers should be revised, to not less than 10-14 months.

For the revision of Annex IV of Directive 2010/63/EU on the killing methods of animals used for scientific purposes:

Confirmation of death by rigor mortis is not appropriate and should be removed. 

Methods of killing zebrafish at stages <16 days post-fertilisation should be addressed. Based on the literature, we recommend that the use of a mixture of lidocaine hydrochloride, sodium bicarbonate and ethanol be included as a suitable method of killing.

Birds can experience severe distress and suffering when killed by CO2 and decapitation. These methods should therefore be deleted.

The use of a percussive blow to the head to stun fish can cause unnecessary suffering. Consequently, this method should be deleted.

Rodents killed by decapitation may experience conscious pain before the onset of insensibility. As a result, this method should be deleted.

Read our full recommendations here.

Regards Mark

Environmental, Farm Animals, General News

EU: 2040 climate target – EU Commission half-heartedly recognises the role of shifting diets. So, What’s New With EU ?

2040 climate target – EU Commission half-heartedly recognises the role of shifting diets

6 February 2024

Press Release

Today, the European Commission published its communication starting the process for establishing a 2040 intermediary climate target on the EU’s road towards climate neutrality by 2050, yet it fails to recognise the full potential of shifting diets to fully achieve these goals.

The final text no longer includes a reference to a 30% cut in non-CO2 emissions from agriculture, such as CH4 emissions from livestock and N2O emissions from soils. Similarly, parts of the communication recognising the role of lifestyle changes, including dietary shifts, in bringing greenhouse gas emissions down have also been dropped. On a more positive note, the communication stresses the role of the food industry in contributing to food environments making healthy diets an easy and affordable choice for consumers.

The last-minute watering down follows the farmers’ protests which have unfolded across Europe. Policymakers are responding to farmers’ discontent by settling on short-sighted compromises and rolling back climate policies, rather than adopting necessary long-term measures. Yet, the agriculture and food sectors have great potential to enable dietary shifts, reduce climate-harming emissions and improve human and animal health.

The link between dietary patterns and greenhouse gas emissions is now beyond question. It is beyond understanding that the Commission has deliberately ignored it. If we want to be serious on the climate crises, EU policymakers must regulate food environments, and make our food choices healthy and sustainable by default. They must use the One Health approach – in all policies – as a reflex, not a slogan.

Dr. Milka Sokolovic, Director General, European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)

Today the Commission failed to recognise the need for shifting to healthy, plant-rich diets and raising fewer animals under much higher conditions to achieve the EU’s climate objectives. Without such a transition the EU falls short on  its ambitions on animal welfare whilst jeopardising its climate, environmental and health objectives.

Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals

However hard the Commission tries to handle farmers with kid gloves, facts are stubborn things: our food and agriculture systems contribute a big chunk of the EU’s climate impact. Consumers are willing to change the way they eat and play their part in the fight against climate change, provided sustainable, healthy food becomes more available and affordable. Now the ball is in the court of the next European Commission, who will have to urgently dust off the overdue Sustainable Food Systems law and put it on the table. Such law must incentivise industry and retailers to better support consumers in the transition.

Monique Goyens, Director General, European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)

This short briefing outlines why shifting diets has a positive impact on health and climate. 

Put Change on the Menu is a collaborative project between BEUC, Eurogroup for Animals, and the European Public Health Alliance.

Regards Mark