PURPOSE : to conclude the Protocol of Amendment to the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.
COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 2003/584/EC.
CONTENT : Directive 86/609/EEC sets out common rules incorporating the principles, objectives and main provisions of the European Convention referred to above. The provisions contained in the Appendices to the Convention are of a technical nature and reflect the latest scientific and technical developments and results in the research within the fields covered. It was felt appropriate to revise these provisions periodically, through a simplified procedure. On 22 June 1998 a Protocol of Amendment setting out a simplified procedure to amend the Appendices to the Convention was been opened for signature by the Signatories to the Convention. In essence the aim of the Protocol of Amendment is to allow for speedy changes to the Appendices as and when technological developments necessitate - in particular Appendix A which covers guidelines for the housing and care of laboratory animals.
This Decision approves the Protocol of Amendment and the text of the Protocol of Amendment is attached to this Decision.
The document provides that signature by the Community will only take place once those Member States who are also Parties to the European Convention have completed procedures to conclude the Protocol of Amendment. �