Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 1295: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the regulations covering animal testing for scientific purposes; if he will outline the enforcement regime for said regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18508/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The use of animals for scientific purposes is strictly controlled in accordance with Council Directive 86/609/EEC and the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, as amended by the European Communities (Amendment of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876) Regulations 2002 and 2005. Under this legislation, experiments on animals can only be performed by persons licensed by the Minister for Health and in premises registered for that purpose. Both the licensees and the registered premises must meet specific requirements and standards. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine carries out the necessary inspections of breeders, suppliers and users of animals and their establishments to verify compliance with the regulations. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by both Departments formalising arrangements in this regard.

While it is desirable to replace the use of animals in scientific procedures it remains the case that such procedures continue to be necessary to protect human and animal health and the environment. In this regard, a new Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes will further strengthen the protection of animals still needed for research and safety testing. The Directive will also play a significant role in further minimising both the number of animals used and the requirement that alternatives be used where possible, whilst ensuring a level playing field for EU industry and enhancing the quality of research conducted in the EU. The "Three Rs" principle of replacing, reducing, and refining animal testing is firmly anchored in the new legislation and this is something that I strongly support. The new Directive will be transposed into Irish law by the end of 2012.