Description of legal framework
The legal framework for the use of animals in animal experiments is regulated at different levels. However, the philosophy behind these legal texts is always the same: one should first check that no alternative methods are available before proceeding to use animals. This is the "no, unless" principle. This is one of the three Rs on which both European and Belgian legislation is based, namely the V of replacement. Conducting animal experiments is in principle forbidden unless there is no other way or when it is required by other laws and regulations. The other two Rs must also be met at all times, namely reduction of the number of animals to be used and refinement of the tests carried out in terms of animal welfare.
Laboratory animal legislation is regulated at the highest level by the European Parliament through Directive 2010/63/EU, which is binding on all European member states and sets strict requirements for the use and housing of laboratory animals. This directive was transposed into Belgian law in a new Royal Decree in 2013. In 2014, animal welfare became a regional issue, upon which there was an additional decree in 2017 regarding laboratory animal legislation, both in the Brussels Capital Region, Flanders and Wallonia. In 1986, the member states of the Council of Europe (not to be confused with the Council of the European Union) concluded a Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. This convention ETS123 was the first to contain guidelines on housing experimental animals. It is also on this Convention that the European Directive and Belgian legislation are based.
To comply with the legislation and standards, there are several bodies within the university, each of which has its task within laboratory animal research: the laboratory animal centre and laboratories, the animal ethics committee and the animal welfare cell.
The laboratory animal centre and the laboratories
Any laboratory wishing to work with laboratory animals (user or breeder) must first submit an application for approval by registered letter to the competent authority (in the Brussels Capital Region, this is Brussels Environment). The competent authority will examine the approval file and the competent minister will give an approval within 90 days, after advice from the Brussels Experimental Animal Commission, if the user and its establishments meet all the requirements of the legislation.
Based on a risk analysis, at least one-third of all approval holders are inspected annually. Some of these inspections are carried out without prior notice.
If the inspector veterinarian finds infringements, the competent minister may suspend the approval for a period of one to three months. If repeated infringements are found or no action is taken on the infringements found or if the establishment no longer meets the legal conditions, the minister may permanently withdraw the approval.
If a user does not carry out animal testing for at least three consecutive years, the approval will be withdrawn by the competent Service.
The user or breeder shall ensure that all laboratory animals present are provided with the housing and special care as stipulated by law in the Royal Decree.
The laboratory animal centre of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel is the place where the laboratory animals are housed and the animal experiments are carried out. It is run by a laboratory animal expert who manages the staff and carries out regular checks. The laboratory animal centre staff support the laboratories in taking care of the laboratory animals and conducting animal experiments. They also help with the administration linked to the animal experiments. A quality expert helps ensure that both animal welfare and the scientific quality of the research remain at the highest level.
Qualified animal caretakers check all laboratory animals present and their housing conditions on a daily basis. When the welfare or health of the laboratory animals is not satisfactory, an animal centre staff member reports this to the user or breeder. The latter, in turn, should immediately take the necessary steps to identify the cause and take appropriate action.
The laboratory animal expert regularly checks the health condition and welfare of the laboratory animals to avoid unnecessary pain or suffering. The user or breeder can call on the laboratory animal expert at any time for questions about the welfare and health status of the laboratory animals present, as well as for advice on the design of new research projects.
The law stipulates that mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, non-human primates, dogs, cats, frogs and zebrafish must have been bred for use in animal p
Important Laws
- European Commission Directive 2010/63 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes
- Law of 14 August 1986 on the protection and welfare of animals
- Royal decree of 29 May 2013 on the protection of laboratory animals
- Royal decree of 30 November 2001 prohibiting certain animal experiments
- Royal Decree of 14 February 2007 on the commercial transport of animals other than farm animals
- Decree of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region of 7 September 2017 amending the Royal Decree of 29 May 2013 on the protection of laboratory animals