Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle has called on the Welsh Government to voice its opposition to the use of stray cats and dogs in animal experimentation.
Lindsay Whittle, who represents South Wales East, has tabled a statement of opinion on the issue in the National Assembly and is urging fellow AMs to support his move.
Lindsay Whittle, who has two pet cats, said: “I think it is important that we as a National Assembly and the Welsh Government speak out against a European directive which could be implemented in 2013. That directive would allow the removal of the ban on unwanted pets being used in scientific experiments.
“I’m aware that in some parts of Europe stray animals are used for experiments but I don’t want ever to see that happening in the UK. I’d like to see the UK Government making it absolutely clear that it is a permanent policy not to allow testing on stray animals.”
His motion says:
This Assembly:
Expresses its opposition to the use of stray cats and dogs in experimentation and to the UK Government’s plans to adopt the EU Directive on animal experimentation which would legalise such actions; Notes that transposition to the EU Directive would be irreversible without the support of each of the 27 member states; and Calls upon the Welsh Government to voice its opposition and to urge the UK Government to take the views of the devolved administrations into account.