A sigh of relief for animal research institutions in NRW

The right of action for animal welfare associations has not been extended, according to the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament (NRW LT-Drs. 17/4528). As part of a five-year review of the regulation, the review commission concluded in its final report that the right of association to sue has not proven effective. The administrative burden is disproportionately high. For this reason, as of the beginning of 2019, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia did not extend the most comprehensive right of action and participation for recognized animal welfare associations in Germany. Accordingly, since the beginning of the year, recognized animal welfare associations are no longer permitted to participate in the administrative approval process for genetic engineering facilities. This has particular implications for the operation and approval of S3 and S2 facilities (the latter, if approval was chosen instead of registration), with animals, their modification, including the work carried out on and with animals. All of these institutions will be pleased. In its statements, the Westphalian-Lippish Agriculture (WLV) sees its original stance regarding the right of action for recognized animal welfare associations confirmed. In contrast, the German Animal Welfare Association (DWA) complains of a regression in the interests of animals. The right to collective action for animal welfare continues to exist in Bremen, Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland.