NE05 - Phasing out animal research: a justified worry for neuroscience? (18:45-20:30)

The September 2021 vote in the European Parliament appears to show we are reaching a watershed moment on the use of animals in biomedical research in the EU. Although the vote by MEPs for an EU-level action plan to phase out animal use in research, regulatory testing and education carries no weight in law, it is likely to put pressure on the Commission to go beyond the terms of existing regulations. While MEPs recognised the important role of animal research in areas including neuroscience, the vote calls for ‘reduction targets’ and timelines – imposition of arbitrary dates to limit the numbers of animals used. At this potentially historic juncture the sector must assess the risks, and what we can collectively do against this politically inspired attempt to end the use of animals in biomedical research.

Kirk Leech, Executive Director of the European Animal Research Association will moderate a discussion with Dr Katrin Schutte of DG ENVI and Professor Luca Bonini, University of Parma, Italy, on the pressure to phase out animal research and how the neuroscience community can provide a more balanced narrative on the use of animals in research. Networking with food & drink will follow.