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New Coalition to represent academic science on EU animals directive
The European Coalition for Biomedical Research was launched this week in Brussels to represent the interests of academic scientists in the political debate about the revision of Directive 86/609 on animal experimentation.
Thirty seven academic associations ranging from Lithuania to Portugal have formed the European Coalition for Biomedical Research, which has been set up specifically to address the revision of the EU directive on animal experimentation. Currently there are 34 associations from 17 countries in the Coalition, representing over 37,000 scientists. EBRA is a founding member of the new Coalition. More information can be found at its web site (http://www.ecbr.eu/).
"When it comes to lobbying within Europe, coalitions are much more effective than single associations," commented Dr Mark Matfield, "and the larger the coalition, the more effective it can be."
The Coalition has drawn up a manifesto covering all the points that it would like to see included (or excluded) in the revised directive, which they will be presenting to the European Commission. In addition, the Coalition will be helping its members inform MEPs in their respective countries about the reasons for needing to continue to use animals in medical research. Some of the previous debates on the issue have shown that there is a considerable knowledge gap which needs to be filled.
When the draft directive is published, the Coalition will scrutinise it line by line and, where there are clauses that need changing, they will seek the help of MEPs to ensure that appropriate amendments are tabled, debated and inserted. The objective is to achieve a new directive which balances the need to have animal research properly regulated with the need to allow the research to proceed without undue delays, bureaucracy or hindrances.
At the inaugural meeting, the following people were elected to serve as the Executive Group of the Coalition:
Professor Edith Olah, Chairman
Dr Mark Matfield, General Secretary
Professor Peter Janssen, Executive Member
Dr Duncan Banks, Executive Member Professor Christine Giudicelli, Executive Member