Actions are networks centred around nationally funded research projects in fields that are of interest to at least five COST countries.

For more info please refer to the COST website.

In the last years, special attention has been paid to strengthening the legislation, and improving the welfare of animals used for experimental practices, as well as to firmly anchoring Directive 2010/63/EU to the principle of the Three R’s in the European Union.

Aim of this Action is to provide the scientific basis for advancing knowledge about cephalopod welfare in research, aquaculture and public displays, and promote their conservation. The main objective is to establish an interdisciplinary network of professionals including researchers, veterinarians, NGOs, authorities and others, joined in a common effort to integrate, increase and disseminate knowledge about cephalopod welfare and experimentation, and to promote cephalopod research and conservation. This will include European researchers working with (potentially) any aspect of cephalopods biology, and those working on other marine species, as far as experts and researchers from non-COST countries.

If you want to join the FA1301 please  refer to the COST website for detailed information on how to join a COST Action or click here.

On 1 January 2013, research the use any of the about 700 extant species of ‘‘live cephalopods’’ became regulated within the European Union by Directive 2010/63/EU. The Directive establishes measures for the “protection of animals used for scientific or educational purposes”.

Cephalopods are the sole invertebrate taxon to be included in this Directive. This marks a paradigm shift for invertebrates in EU, by covering the use of an entire class of Molluscs, namely ‘‘live cephalopods’’ (i.e. hatched juveniles and adults) in the legislation covering experimental procedures likely to cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. This means that, under the Directive and transposed national laws, cephalopods have the same legal status as vertebrates in relation to their experimental use in research and testing.

Go to Directive 2010/63/EU text