"Nobody likes animal experimentation, but it is still necessary to advance biomedical research and develop new treatments and vaccines (the current swine flu pandemic is a case in point).
"I am proud to have supported measures aimed at improving the competitiveness of research in Europe while maintain high ethical standards. The East of England has a very heavy vested interest in this new EU law.
"I congratulate both those who campaign for animal welfare and the many scientists who have taken part in this debate for their commitment to getting good law in this critical area.
"The worst aspects of Commission bureaucracy have been tamed and clinical conditions for laboratory animals improved across Europe."