EU allows drug tests on pets (Lead)
June 19th, 2011 - 6:52 pm ICT by IANSLondon, June 19 (IANS) Concerns have been raised in Britain over a European Union directive allowing drug tests on pets, a media report said Sunday.
The plan could trigger a dramatic rise in the number of pets used in laboratory experiments, the express.co.uk reported. British law allows tests only on animals bred for research.
“Dropping UK standards to meet the EU lowest common denominator is wrong and will be seen by the British public as a huge betrayal,” the report quoted a spokesman for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals as saying.
The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, has given the British government till 2013 to adopt the legislation.
The directive will allow puppy farms and cat breeders in Britain to supply animals to laboratories abroad.
Ministers are concerned the directive would weaken Britain’s tough animal welfare laws. Junior Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone has launched a three-month consultation exercise, the report said.
The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) says that dogs, such as beagles, can have substances dripped into their eyes or be force-fed chemicals and drugs.
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