EU to deny funds to Oxford animal test lab

No EU cash to be spent on building - or research - confirms EU

June 19th, 2006

THE European Commission has confirmed that no EU cash will be spent on the construction, maintenance or activities of a controversial animal testing lab being built in Oxford.

Responding to a Parliamentary Question by Oxford’s Green Party MEP Caroline Lucas, a spokesperson confirmed the proposed South Parks Road lab will not receive taxpayers’ cash from the EU – which remains committed to the eventual elimination of all animal tests.

EU Research Commissioner Janez Potocnic told Dr Lucas: ‘The University of Oxford is an active participant in the EU’s [Sixth Framework] research programme, but the Commission has no information about any intended proposals for EU-funded [research] projects [at the proposed] laboratory’.

Dr Lucas, who is a vice-president of the European Parliament’s cross-party Intergroup on animal rights and welfare, said she was delighted.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted that the centre – which is deeply unpopular and entirely unnecessary – will not be receiving taxpayers’ cash via the ‘back door’ of the EU.

“The European Commission has restated its commitment to the ‘3Rs’ – the reduction, refinement and replacement of animal testing (though Greens believe we should replace all animal tests with non-animal alternatives) – and I hope in so doing it has gone some way to countering the myth that it is only extremists who oppose the proposed new laboratory.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

To see Dr Lucas’s Written Question – and Commissioner Potocnic’s response - see ww.carolinelucasmep.org.uk or call Ben on any number below.

For more information please contact Ben on 01273 671946, 07973 823358
or ben@greenmeps.org.uk

Ben Duncan
Media Officer to Caroline Lucas MEP
benduncan@greenmeps.org.uk
01273 671946 (office)
07973 823358 (mobile)

Source: Caroline Lucas MEP

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