Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2015
184. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is considering or formulating plans to outlaw animal testing; if he will introduce penalties for animal testing, as has been done recently in New Zealand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41253/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal testing for finished cosmetic products has been banned under EU legislation since 2004. Animal testing of ingredients contained in cosmetic products has been banned since 2009 irrespective of where the testing takes place. A number of complex tests were given an extended deadline until March 2013. However, since March 2013 there is a legal requirement to use alternative methods to animal testing as the full marketing ban is actively implemented by Member States. In Ireland this ban was transposed into Irish legislation by means of the European Union (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No 440 of 2013). Regulation 19 of these Regulations sets out the penalties which apply to an offence committed under the Regulations.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for cosmetics in Ireland and is responsible for the implementation of the testing and marketing bans on animal testing in this context.
With regard to testing of animals for scientific purposes, Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes was transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No 543 of 2012) and came into effect in January 2013. Regulation 85 of these Regulations sets out the penalties which apply to an offence committed under the Regulations.
This legislation represents an important step towards achieving the final goal of full replacement of procedures on live animals for scientific and educational purposes as soon as it is scientifically possible to do so. One of the requirements of the legislation is that studies on animals shall not be carried out when a scientifically satisfactory non-animal method is available.
The HPRA is the competent authority for the implementation of the legislation on scientific animal protection in Ireland. The HPRA is satisfied that all establishments in Ireland that hold animals for scientific purposes do so in compliance with the legislation.
