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European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians

ESLAV

The Society aims to offer assistance and improve the contributions of veterinarians who work with animals utilized in scientific research.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Updating the list of invasive species threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services across the EU

24 Mar 2025

As veterinarians, we completely support the need for protection of biodiversity and understand the risks posed by non-native species in disturbing natural ecosystems through displacement and/ or disease. We have no specific comments on the inclusion of specific species in the implementing regulation. However, we would flag that it is important that a system is in place for notifying the relevant bodies that regulate research that involves the use of animals when any new species is added to the invasive species regulation, where such species fall under the definition of article 1 of Directive 2010/63EU. This is to ensure that, where the use of species covered by draft implementing regulation - Ares(2025)1470705 are used within a research setting, those using such animals are notified and therefore able to meet the conditions of this regulation in terms of application for the relevant permits, etc. We would also ask that the permit requirements for housing any relevant species are harmonised with the requirements for housing for research purposes, for which strict rules already apply. This would ensure that (i) there is clarity on the requirements (ii) any additional costs are minimised and (iii) there is minimal duplication of effort from different implementing authorities.
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