Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001931/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Lynn Boylan (The Left)
Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) is used as a fertility enhancer on European farms. Every year, thousands of pregnant mares in Iceland are subjected to weekly five-litre blood extractions, which far exceed international guidelines. This process causes the animals stress, fear and pain, and violence is often used during the extraction. It also puts the mares at risk of infection, vein inflammation, thrombosis and anaemia.
As a member of the European Economic Area, Iceland is subject to Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. In 2023, the EFTA Surveillance Authority started an infringement procedure against Iceland but, to this day, the Icelandic pharmaceutical company Ísteka has a valid licence to collect mares’ blood in order to produce the fertility hormone PMSG.
In the light of this, will the Commission:
- 1.comment on Iceland’s continued violation of Directive 2010/63/EU and provide an update on infringement proceedings?
- 2.respond to Parliament’s call in its 2021 resolution on the farm to fork strategy to stop the import and domestic production of PMSG in the EU?
Submitted: 14.5.2025