§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the number of additional animal toxicity tests likely to be required over the next 15 years as a result of the EU Biocidal Product Directive (98/8/EC); [96565]
(2) what assessment he has made of the likely overall impact of the EU Biocidal Product Directive (98/8/EC) on numbers of tests on animals over the next 15 years. [96566]
200W
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIt is not possible for the Home Office to give an estimation of the likely scale and nature of animal use under the Directive.
The consequence of regulations coming into force will be a requirement for all biocidal products and their active substances to be authorised for use. The new requirement may increase animal testing in this area.
To minimise duplicate testing, however, Article 13 of the Directive requires authorisation holders to take all reasonable steps to share data. The Article also allows for member states to oblige applicants to share data in order to avoid unnecessary and duplicate testing on animals.
The Home Office is currently working with other Government departments and agencies to agree a strategy for increasing data sharing in United Kingdom regulatory safety testing.