Protection of animals used for scientific purposes (repeal. Directive 86/609/EEC) is scheduled for plenary vote on 7 May 2009.

The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and the Genetic Interest Group (GIG) are travelling to Brussels along with patient represenataives and medical research scientists to meet MEPs and talk about the scope and impact of the Directive.

Wednesday 29th April 2009

Room 5 F 385 – Altiero Spinelli Building, European Parliament, Brussels

Drop in reception between 1pm and 3pm hosted by John Purvis MEP

Without animal research, scientists across Europe would have difficulty understanding ill health or developing many of the treatments which keep us alive or give us quality of life. For example, medicines for diabetes, asthma and leukaemia and medical procedures such as blood transfusions and transplant surgery may not have been developed without animal research.

A group of patients from across Europe are travelling to Parliament on 29 April to meet MEPs.  They are keen to ensure that the proposed revisions of Directive 86/609/EEC, while raising welfare standards for animals, will not hinder medical advances but foster the best possible environment for well-regulated medical research across the EU.

MEPs can drop in to talk with patients about their concerns and to find out more information from scientists and researchers involved in medical research to help them come to a decision on how to vote.

23 April 2009