§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's negotiating position on a draft Directive to control the use of animals in experiments in the EU. [17756]
§ Mr. MeacherI am not aware of any proposals for a Directive to control the use of animals in experiments in the EU. There are, however, proposals for new legislation to improve the control of hazardous chemicals. These proposals, which were described in the answer given to the right hon. Member on 28 November 2001,Official Report, column 1026W, are very welcome except that they have the potential to increase animal testing. We intend to avoid excessive animal testing resulting from this new legislation by pressing for companies to share data arising from animal testing, by prioritising the testing 743W programme to focus of on chemicals of greatest concern, and by making decisions, wherever possible, based on information not derived from animal testing.