What is a laboratory animal ?

The legal definition of a laboratory animal is provided in the Law of 14 August 1986 on the protection and welfare of animals (only available in NL and FR):

  • "Living cephalopods used or intended to be used in animal experiments, or those that have been bred specifically to use their organs or tissues for scientific purposes;
  • living non-human vertebrates used or intended to be used in animal experiments, or those that have been bred specifically to use their organs or tissues for scientific purposes, including their independently feeding larval forms, as well as fetal forms of mammals as from the last third of their normal development;
  • This definition also applies to animals used in animal experiments which are in an earlier stage of development than that referred to in the previous paragraph, if they are to remain alive beyond that stage of development and, as a result of the animal experiments carried out, are at risk of experiencing pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm after reaching that stage.”

According to this definition, all vertebrates (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles) are included in the term 'laboratory animal'. However, this does not automatically mean that animal experiments may be performed on all vertebrates. Experiments on great apes, for example, are forbidden in Belgium. In Europe, animals may also no longer be used for testing cosmetics or for the development of tobacco products. Most invertebrates (insects, worms,...) are not included in this definition and may therefore be used for animal experiments. The use of cephalopods (squids and octopuses) is an exception to this definition, as experiments with this species are considered as animal experiments.

 

What is an animal experiment ?

The legal definition of an animal experiment is provided in the Law of 14 August 1986 on the protection and welfare of animals (only available in NL and FR): "any invasive or non-invasive use of an animal for experimental or other scientific purposes, of which the outcome is known or unknown, or for educational purposes, which may cause the animal as much or more pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm as the insertion of a needle applying good veterinary practice. This also includes any action of which the purpose or possible consequence is the birth or the hatching of an egg of an animal or the establishment and maintenance of a genetically modified animal species, but does not include the killing of animals for the sole purpose of using their organs or tissues.