Opinion: Alternative methods for killing laboratory animals

Most animals which are bred and/or are used for animal experiments die or are killed as part of the experiment or because they constitute a surplus. European Directive 2010/63/EU, Annex IV describes the appropriate killing methods for each animal species.

In order to grant an exemption or dispensation for using a killing method not specified in Annex IV, the scientific justification must be closely assessed and a careful evaluation must be made.

In September 2015, the then Dutch State Secretary of Economic Affairs asked the NCad to advise on killing methods for laboratory animals that are as humane as the methods set out in European Directive 2010/63/EU.

In addition, the State Secretary asked the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) to provide guidance for assessing such alternative killing methods by describing the elements that such scientific justification must contain. In August 2016, we issued our opinion entitled ‘Alternative methods for killing laboratory animals’.

Concerning the assessment of alternative killing methods, we advise the following:

1. Two elements are particularly important for assessing alternative methods of killing, namely the speed of loss of consciousness, and the degree of pain, suffering and discomfort associated with (the entire experience relating to) the killing. These elements must be taken into account when assessing an alternative killing method.
2. Applications for exemptions or dispensations must be assessed on the basis of a Synthesis of Evidence/evaluation of (literature) data.
3. If there are no data in the literature or the evaluation provides insufficient clarification, an exploratory animal study must be carried out in consultation with the competent authorities (the NVWA and CCD).
4. If the data in the literature and (if applicable) the exploratory study are positively assessed, the NVWA can grant a dispensation for a specific period.
5. The Netherlands should advocate that the degree of scientific justification of the killing methods currently prescribed in the Directive be addressed during the evaluation of Directive 2010/63/EU.
6. The conditions for dispensation applied by the NVWA and data on the exemptions granted for alternative killing methods should be made centrally available.
7. Knowledge sharing between animal welfare bodies on killing methods should be further encouraged.