§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Advisory Committee on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [70575]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthI have been asked to reply.
Article 22 (3) of European Directive 86/609/EEC (on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes) provides for the Commission to establish "a permanent consultative committee within which the Member States would be represented, which will assist the Commission in organising the exchange of appropriate information, while respecting the requirements of confidentiality, and which will also assist the Commission in the other questions raised by the application of this Directive". The Commission made a decision on 9 February 1990 (90/67/EEC) for setting up the Advisory Committee on the Protection of Animals for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes under Article 22 of the Directive, including provision for representation and working methods. However, the Committee has never been established. The Commission has recently made a recommendation for the Directive to be revised. In its initial comments on what amendments might be considered, the United Kingdom has suggested that the Commission should consider either dispensing with or establishing the Advisory Committee.