The Deputy may wish to note that following the publication of the 2010 Directive on the protection of animals for scientific purposes, the European Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said that it "ends a long negotiation process, which has shown how sensitive and important the issues at stake are. However, everyone agreed that it is vital to improve the situation for animals still needed in scientific research and safety testing, whilst maintaining a high standard of research and improving the focus on finding alternative methods to animal testing. The European Union will soon have the highest standards of experimental animal welfare in the world". The Directive introducing these higher standards will be applicable in all 27 Member States.
My Department sought the views of the public and interested parties in July, 2009 on the proposed Directive. These views informed Ireland's position as negotiations on the proposed Directive progressed at EU level. My Department again sought the views of the public and interested parties in October, 2011 after the adoption of the Directive. Many of the provisions set out in the Directive are mandatory.
The Directive is required to be transposed into Irish law by 10 November, 2012 and to take effect from 1 January, 2013. Work is continuing in my Department to ensure that the transposition of the Directive will be completed by the due date.
