Some
experiments will be repeats of tests carried out by private
companies, the Government has admitted.
The
disclosure has angered politicians and scientists, who fear
that the move will cause unnecessary suffering.
Bob
Spink, a Tory member of the parliamentary select committee
for science and technology, was given the figures in answer
to a parliamentary question. He said: "This will lead to
a massive outcry. This testing is not based on any perception
of hazard and might result in no benefits at all. We should
be testing chemicals based on real hazard and real risk."
The
EU measure, called Reach (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation
of Chemicals), is intended to impose strict regulation on
Europe's chemical industry. It will require new laboratory
tests on animals for 30,000 separate chemicals currently
in production in Europe. At present, each country has its
own laws governing testing.
In
reply to Dr Spink's question, Alun Michael, the rural affairs
minister, said Reach required 20,000 chemicals to be tested
on at least 25 animals - a total of 500,000 tests. Another
4,000 substances would require 1,500 animal tests each -
six million in all. The number of tests for the remaining
6,000 chemicals was not stated.
Tony
Trewavas, a professor of biochemistry at Edinburgh University
who has previously tested chemicals on animals, said the
new experiments would be "largely useless" because most
of the chemicals had been in general use for decades. "It
is a waste of time and will teach scientists nothing," he
said.
A
spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs said the Government wanted animal experiments
kept to an absolute minimum.
"The
EU should support research into alternatives to animal testing
specifically designed to meet the requirements of the new
legislation," said the spokesman. "There is time available
for this to yield results when Reach is due for implementation."
10
July 2003: Euro safety rules 'will increase' animal tests
19 March 2003[Truro.telegraph.co.uk]: Support grows for
animal experiments
©
Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2004
posted on anc.org
