drs. W (Wim) de Leeuw

“The ideal world, a world without animal procedures, is not yet within reach. There is still a vast amount of work that needs to be done before we can fully replace animal procedures where this is possible and, where it’s not, reduce the number of animal procedures and apply methods that minimise distress to the greatest extent. The NCad is charged with issuing solicited and unsolicited advice and guidelines that can help us to take the needed steps. Their recommendations have to be based on the input of experts and other involved parties. They have to act as a motivating and reliable compass that points the way to fewer and better animal procedures. Basically, the NCad can and must act as a driving force in this area. In my view, the challenge lies not only in formulating forward-looking opinions and guidelines, but also, and even more importantly, in working with animal welfare bodies to ensure that these recommendations and guidelines are disseminated beyond the ministerial offices and the animal welfare bodies themselves. They need to reach the researchers, biotechnicians, animal caretakers and other staff at those bodies, and they need to make a real contribution to improving animal welfare and research.”