The proposed new directive is published

The first stage in the production of the new directive on animal experimentation has finished.  After many years of deliberations, consultations and internal delays, the European Commission has adopted a draft wording and published it as a formal proposal for a new directive.

The full text, in many languages, can be found at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52008PC0543:EN:NOT

This proposal has been sent to both the European Parliament (composed of the MEPs) and the European Council (composed of representatives from the Member States).   Both these bodies will give it a first reading, making proposals for changes to each other and then, taking each others proposals and the Commission's reaction into account, they each have a second reading.  All three bodies - Commission, Council and Parliament - have to reach agreement on the text.  If they cannot do so after the two readings, there is a Conciliation Committee formed with representatives from all three bodies, which has a deadline to hammer out a compromise.

This whole process can take between 2 and 4 years.