We are well aware that some Members of the European Parliament have been misled by animal rights misinformation into thinking that animal research does not work and should be phased out. But some MEPs are themselves the origin of such misinformation.

On his English language blog, the Swedish MEP Jens Holm describes his ‘passions’ as ’global justice, animal rights and environmental issues‘. Note the lack of interest in the well-being of individual people.

Jens Holm describes what he anticipates to be ’difficult struggle against animal experimentation‘. During the revision of the European Directive on animal experimentation, Jens Holm is going to be pressing for ‘concrete plans for reduction’. His rationale is that:

‘in the same way that we have goals in the area of climate change, we should set goals for reducing animal experimentation year for year’.

This is confused thinking. Animal research is an activity which brings benefits both to humans and animals. Climate change is an unwanted by-product of industrial and consumer activity, and brings no benefits of itself.

Advocating targets to reduce animal experiments is like suggesting we tackle climate change through targets to reduce rail travel.

The logical focus of Holm’s concerns should be reducing animal suffering, which is a perfectly sensible. In that case, his goal should be targets to reduce animal suffering from all causes, including all human and animal activities. Whether the EU has the legal capacity for that is another matter!