Question to the EC: Alternatives to animal testing – annual budget resources attributed

See Francisco Guerreiro’s question to the European Commission and the written answer on alternatives to animal testing and annual budget resources attributed.

Subject: Alternatives to animal testing – annual budget resources attributed 

The development of alternatives to the use of animals in regulatory testing is a stated policy and legal objective of the European Union.

Article 4 of the directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (Directive 2010/63/EU) gives legal force to the ‘3 Rs Strategy’ of reduction, refinement and replacement.

In line with this policy objective, the development and validation of alternative non-animal methods (NAMs) is supported by the work of the Joint Research Centre of the Commission (DG-JRC) and its EU Reference Laboratory, Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods (EURL-ECVAM), the Horizon 2020 programme, by working with industry through the European partnership for alternative approaches to animal testing (EPAA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). 

1. In the light of these objectives, can the Commission indicate the total level of annual budget resources attributed to fulfilling this policy objective in the 2019 budget year? 

2. Along with the global figure could the Commission provide the sum for each of the operational areas: JRC, EURL-ECVAM, EPAA and ECHA?

Answer in writing

The average annual budget for this policy objective is estimated to be EUR 45 million(1), including:

— The EU research projects on alternatives, estimated over a whole framework programme; in the Horizon 2020 programme (2014-2020) it is over EUR 40 million annually; 

— The annual budget of the Joint Research Centre’s (JRCs) European Union Reference Laboratories for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM), approximately EUR 5 million in 2019 and 2020. 

EURL ECVAM participates in research and development activities, undertakes and coordinates validation studies, facilitates regulatory acceptance and international adoption of alternatives, including their promotion and dissemination. 

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) does not have a budget directly linked to alternatives, but contributes to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) testing guidelines of regulatory relevance, and provides guidance on how to avoid unnecessary animal testing.

The budget for projects and workshops run by the European partnership for alternatives to animal testing ( EPAA) is provided by its industry members. Leading experts on alternative methods provide scientific contribution, the Commission provides experts and funds, organises regular meetings and the annual conference. 

In addition to the figures mentioned, with a budget of EUR 1 million, a pilot project ‘Promoting alternatives to animal testing’ develops e-learning modules on training for animal users to apply the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use) and best practices on alternative methods. Educational tools are also developed for high schools, universities and early career scientists. The project will be finalised by the end 2020. 

Further information on the relevant activities can be found in the reports by EURL-ECVAM(2), the EPAA(3) and ECHA(4).

(1)       The Commission wishes to underline that a number of other actions and tasks such as those carried out by EMA, EFSA and various services in the European Commission contribute also to the advancement and promotion of alternatives to animal testing.

(2)       EURL-ECVAM Status Report 2019:

https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/eur-scientific-and-technical-research-reports/eurl-ecvam-status-report-development-validation-and-regulatory-acceptance-alternative-4

(3)       EPAA Annual Report 2019:

https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/38804

(4)       ECHA report on the use of alternatives (Fourth report under Article 117(3) of the REACH Regulation):

https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13639/alternatives_test_animals_2020_en.pdf/b9af7cf7-4ce0-f3a1-1bcb-8de3fd84a1fb

Share this post