The European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (1986, ETS 123) concerns the use of animals in procedures (experiments). Its provisions cover areas such as care and accommodation, conduct of experiments, humane killing, authorisation procedures, control of breeding or supplying and user establishments, education and training, and statistical information. The Convention includes two technical Appendices presenting respectively guidelines for accommodation and care of animals (Appendix A) and tables for the presentation of statistical data on the use of animals for scientific purposes (Appendix B).
The Convention provides for Multilateral Consultations of the Parties at least every five years, to examine the application of the Convention and the advisability of revising it or extending any of its provisions according to changes of circumstances and new scientific evidence. The Multilateral Consultations are prepared by a working party.
At the Multilateral Consultations held in 1992, 1993 and 1997, the Parties adopted Resolutions aiming at facilitating and harmonising the implementation of certain provisions of the Convention.
For their work , the Parties have invited non member States of the Council of Europe and cooperate very closely with non-governmental organisations representing the fields concerned: scientists, veterinarians, laboratory animal breeders, animal protection associations, specialists in animal science, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry etc. who participate as observers in the meetings.
In June 1998, a Protocol of Amendment (ETS 170) providing for a simplified procedure for the amendment to the technical appendices to the Convention was opened for signature.
Revision of Appendix A to the Convention
In 1998, the Parties to the Convention undertook a revision of Appendix A to the Convention, on the accommodation and care of animals. The Working Party completed the revision of the Appendix at its 8th meeting, from 22 to 24 September 2004, and submitted it to the Multilateral Consultation of the Parties for adoption.
The fourth Multilateral Consultation of Parties to the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes (ETS 123) held its meeting in Strasbourg on 15 June 2006.
During this meeting, the draft revised Appendix A of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes – Guidelines for accommodation and care of animals was unanimously adopted by the Parties to the Convention.
This Appendix contains guidelines based on present knowledge and good practice for the accommodation and care of animals. It explains and supplements the basic principles adopted in Article 5 of the Convention. The objective of the Appendix is thus to provide guidance to help authorities, institutions and individuals in their pursuit of the aims of the Council of Europe in this matter. It is composed of a General Section - providing guidelines on accommodation, housing and care relevant to all animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes and Species-Specific provisions on rodents, rabbits, dogs and cats, ferrets, farm animals (cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs and minipigs), non-human primates, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, prepared by the Working Party on the basis of proposals elaborated by Groups of Experts.
The Appendix will enter into force twelve months after its adoption, i.e. on 15 June 2007, as required by Article 31 of the Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes.