Animal rights issues will take centre stage in the European Parliament’s this week as its Committee for the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy considers two key reports written by Welsh Euro MP Jill Evans.

The all-Wales MEP has been an advocate of animal rights issues in the European Parliament and her first report to be debated tomorrow (Wednesday) looks at how the law has been implemented and calls for stricter controls to protect animals used for experiments. Her second report on Pets Passports will be the subject of a vote on Thursday. If adopted the report could pave the way for pets that have been vaccinated against rabies and that have identification implants to be able to travel with their owners within the European Union.

Ms Evans, who is leader of Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales in the European Parliament, said:

"The current law on the protection of animals used for experimental and scientific purposes does not provide enough safeguards for the overall welfare of the animals."

"I know from the number of constituents who write to me in Parliament that this is something that people are really concerned about. In the meantime, more consideration needs to be given to introducing stricter licensing procedures for experimentation and to ensuring that existing laws are followed. I want EU countries to provide incentives for the development of alternatives to experiments on animals."

"Given that about nine million animals were bred and then destroyed as ‘surplus’ to requirement in 1999 it is also high time that we put a stronger emphasis on developing better breeding programmes."

The report calls for a standard EU inspectorate to be established that will have the powers to inspect any premises where animals are being used for experimentation - both private and public, without any prior warning, and to revoke the license of any establishment not adhering to the rules.

Ms Evans added:

"I also hope that my report on introducing a special Pets Passport will help pave the way for new legislation allowing owners to take their pets with them when they travel abroad in the EU. This would of course be dependant on meeting strict criteria such as ensuring the pets have identification implants and that they have been vaccinated against rabies – but allowing that freedom of movement would be of great benefit to both pets and their owners alike."

Before the summer Ms Evans was a prominent supporter of the successful vote to ban testing cosmetics on animals and to ban the selling of cosmetic ingredients that have been tested on animals.

DIWEDD/END.