Ministerial Circular No. 6 implementing Legislative Decree No. 116 on the protection of animals used for experimental or other scientific purposes.

This Ministerial Circular implements Legislative Decree No. 116 of 27 January 1992, with particular regard to the aims set out in said Legislative Decree. The purposes are, among others: (a) the protection of the welfare of animals used for experimental purposes; (b) the restriction of the number of animals to be used for scientific purposes; (c) the use of animals for experimental purposes only when there is no other method scientifically proven to be effective; (d) the protection of animals from suffering and cruelty. The competent bodies shall take into particular consideration reports and recommendations submitted by scientists as well as animal protection organizations.