The administrative court (TA) of Strasbourg annulled the prefectural decree authorizing in 2020 the activity of the primatology center of the city's university, in the sights of several animal rights associations, according to a decision consulted on Wednesday by the 'AFP.
Silabe hosts
“on average 800 animals of nine different species”
with the mission of
“accommodating and supplying primates for biomedical research, the sale of biological samples, the carrying out of experimental studies, training and even the conservation of species
,” indicates the platform on its website.
“A lot of waste, including waste from healthcare activities with infectious risks and animal corpses, (there) is produced”
due to
“the breeding activity”
and
“the experimental protocols carried out on the animals”
, notes in its decision, dated January 30, the court.
The primatology center managed by the University of Strasbourg, called Silabe (
“Simian Laboratory Europe”
), installed since 1978 in a former fort in Niederhausbergen (Bas-Rhin), has
“an authorization to discharge its wastewater into the public sanitation network”
, near
“a water catchment area”
, further notes the TA.
“Risks for natural environments”
Furthermore, and even if the center benefits
from “a waste elimination procedure, the mere presence of it is likely to have direct and significant effects on the environment”
, considers the court.
According to her,
“the use of animals for scientific experimentation purposes, in particular to test drugs and vaccines, is likely to cause, due to laboratory accidents, risks to natural environments”
.
So many elements which should have pushed the prefect of Bas-Rhin, Josiane Chevalier, to organize a public consultation procedure before taking the decision, as stipulated by the Environmental Code, which she did not not done, notes the court which annulled the decree of October 6, 2020. It
“directs the prefect of Bas-Rhin to re-examine the request for renewal (of the authorization) after the organization of a consultation procedure of the public (...) within six months
.
The center, regularly singled out by animal rights associations who demand its closure, will until then have to be content with
“the management of its current affairs (...) ensuring the well-being of the primates without pursuing its activities
,” orders the TA.
The Pro Anima association, which had contacted the TA, welcomed this decision
“which will force both the University of Strasbourg and the public authorities to be more transparent”
.