Decree No. 496 / 2025 Coll.
Decree amending Decree No. 419 / 2012 Coll., on the Protection of Experimental Animals, as amended
Valid
Order
Effective from 04.12.2025
Text versions:
04.12.2025
02.12.2025
496
DECLARATION
of 27 November 2025
amending Decree No. 419 / 2012 Coll., on the Protection of Experimental Animals, as amended
The Ministry of Agriculture provides pursuant to Article 29 (1) of Act No. 246 / 1992 Coll., for the protection of animals against abuse, as amended by Act No. 162 / 1993 Coll., Act No. 77 / 2004 Coll., Act No. 312 / 2008 Coll., Act No. 291 / 2009 Coll., Act No. 359 / 2012 Coll., Act No. 501 / 2020 Coll. and Act No. 70 / 2025 Coll., for implementation of § 15c (7), § 17 (3), § 18c (5) and § 18g (9) Act:
Decree No. 419 / 2012 Coll., on the protection of experimental animals, as amended by Decree No. 299 / 2014 Coll. and Decree No. 158 / 2021 Coll., is amended as follows:
1. At the end of footnote 1, the sentence "Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2024 / 1262 of 13 March 2024 amending Directive 2010 / 63 / EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards requirements for establishments, animal welfare and their location and methods of killing animals shall be added to the separate line. ';
2. In Article 3, at the end of paragraph 1, the dot is replaced by a comma and the following point (k) is added:
"(k) the strategy for maintaining the health status of experimental animals as set out in Annex 8 to this Decree, point (a) (1)."
3. in Article 3 (2), point (d) is deleted;
Points (e) to (k) shall be renumbered as points (d) to (j).
4. In Section 9, the following paragraph 1 is added:
"(1) The methods of certification of mortality (5) shall be appropriate for the species to be killed.
5) Paragraph 18g (5) of Act No. 246 / 1992 Coll., for the protection of animals against abuse, as amended. "
The current text becomes paragraph 2.
5. In Annex 6 (2) (c) to the introductory part of the provision, the words "and vibration 'shall be inserted after the words" noise'.
6. In Annex 6 (2) (c), the following point 4 is added:
"4. in the case of aquatic animals, equipment causing noise or vibration such as electricity generators or filtration systems shall not adversely affect the welfare of experimental animals, ';
7. In Annex 6 (2) (d) to the introductory part of the provision, the words "and emergency plans' shall be inserted after the words" systems'.
8. In Annex 6 (2), at the end of point (d), the dot is replaced by a comma and the following point 4 is added:
"4. effective emergency plans for the health and welfare of experimental animals shall be available in case of failure of essential elements of breeding. ';
9. In Annex 7, Part 8. The birds shall be inserted after the first sentence on a separate line: "The space conditions set out in Tables 8.1 to 8.10 shall apply whenever birds are taken from the wild for more than 24 hours. Where birds are kept for a shorter period, measures shall be taken to minimise the risks to the welfare of experimental animals. ';
10. In Annex 7, Part 8. The following tables 8.8 to 8.10 are added:
"Table 8.8
Parrots
| Velikost skupiny | Minimální plocha uzavřeného prostoru (m2) | Minimální výška (cm) | Minimální délka krmítka na jednoho ptáka (cm) | Minimální délka hřadu na jednoho ptáka (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| až do 6 | 2,0 | 200 | 5 | 30 |
| od 7 do 12 | 4,0 | 200 | 5 | 30 |
| od 13 do 20 | 6,0 | 200 | 5 | 30 |
| pro každého dalšího ptáka mezi 21 a 50 | 0,25 | 5 | 30 | |
| pro každého dalšího ptáka nad 50 | 0,15 | 5 | 30 |
Table 8.9
Domestic sparrows
| Velikost skupiny bez vizuálních překážek | Velikost skupiny za přítomnosti vizuálních překážek | Minimální plocha uzavřeného prostoru (m2) | Minimální výška (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| až do 10 | až do 15 | 2,4 | 180 |
| od 11 do 20 | od 16 do 35 | 4,8 | 180 |
| od 21 do 30 | od 36 do 60 | 7,3 | 180 |
| pro každého dalšího ptáka nad 30 | pro každého dalšího ptáka nad 60 | 0,11 |
Table 8.10
Horseradish and blue curd
| Velikost skupiny | Minimální plocha uzavřeného prostoru na jednoho ptáka (m2) | Minimální výška (cm) | Minimální počet krmných zařízení | Minimální délka hřadu na jednoho ptáka (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 180 | 1 | 100 |
| 2–10 1) (stejné pohlaví) | 1 | 180 | 2 | 40 |
| 1 samice + 1 samec | 2 | 180 | 2 | 100 |
Note:
(1) A group size greater than 10 is not allowed without a timetable of sufficiently frequent monitoring to detect and mitigate aggression. ';
11. in Annex 7, Part 11. The following shall be added to points 11.1 to 11.3:
"11.1 Water supply and quality
Appropriate water supply of suitable quality must be provided at all times. The water flow in recirculation systems or filtration in tanks shall be sufficient to ensure compliance with water quality parameters at acceptable levels, depending on the characteristics of the farming system and the animal species requirements and life-stage of the individual. The water supplied shall be filtered or adjusted to remove, where appropriate, substances which are dangerous to the fish. The water quality parameters shall be constantly within an acceptable range which maintains normal activity and physiology for the species and development stage concerned. The water flow shall be sufficient to enable the fish to swim properly and to behave normally. Fish must have plenty of time to acclimate and adapt to changes in water quality conditions. Appropriate measures shall be taken to minimise sudden changes in the various parameters affecting water quality. The appropriate flow rate and water level shall be secured and monitored.
11.2 Oxygen, nitrogen compounds, carbon dioxide, pH and salinity
Oxygen concentrations shall meet the needs of each species and the conditions under which the fish are kept. If necessary, additional aeration of water in tanks must be ensured depending on the farming system. The concentrations of carbon dioxide and nitrogen compounds, namely ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, shall be kept below harmful levels. Water quality must be monitored using a set schedule of sufficiently numerous tests to detect changes in these critical parameters and measures taken to mitigate these changes.
The pH level shall be adapted to each species and monitored to maintain it as stable as possible. Salinity must be adapted to the requirements of fish species and the life-stage of individuals. Changes in salinity must be made gradually.
11.3 Temperature and lighting
The temperature shall be maintained in an optimal range for the species and its development stage and at the most stable value. The temperature changes must be made gradually. Appropriate photopernicity shall be provided for fish. ';
12. in Annex 7, Part 11. Point 11.5 of fish shall read:
"11.5 Feeding and handling
Fish shall be fed with food suitable for them at appropriate quantities and intervals. Particular attention should be paid to feeding the brood during each transition from natural food to artificial food. Where withdrawal of food is necessary for reasons other than experiments, for example for transport, the duration shall be as short as possible and shall take into account the size of the fish and the temperature of the water.
If possible, fish shall be handled without their removal from water. The handling of fish in and out of water shall be limited to the minimum and the equipment in direct contact with fish shall be humidified. Fish shall not be handled at water temperatures outside the limits which they are able to tolerate. ';
13. in Annex 7, Part 11. the following point 11.6 is added:
"11.6 Danio striped
11.6.1 Water quality
Table 11.1
Requirements for water parameters in striped Dane Location Systems
| Parametry vody | Minimální a maximální požadavky |
|---|---|
| Teplota | 24 – 29°C |
| Vodivost | 150 – 1700 μS/cm2 |
| Celková tvrdost | 40 – 250 mg/L CaCO3 |
| pH | 6,5 – 8 |
| Sloučeniny dusíku | NH3/NH4+< 0,1 1) mg/L, NO2- < 0,3 mg/L, NO3- < 25 mg/L |
| Koncentrace rozpuštěného kyslíku | > 5 mg/L |
Note:
1) or below the detection limit. 0,1 mg / L is the total amount of ammonia, NH3 / NH4 +. This corresponds to 0,002 mg / L NH3 at 28 ° C and pH 7,5.
11.6.2 Lighting
During the day phase, the lighting levels shall be constant, except for short crossings between day and night, if used. It must be completely dark during the night phase.
11.6.3 Installation density and environmental diversity
The volume of water of less than 1 litre shall not be used in adult striped Dane. The stocking density shall not exceed 10 adult fish per litre. The size and shape of the tank shall enable the fish to behave naturally and to swim normally.
A longer-term individual placement should be avoided. '
14. Part 12 of Annex 7 is added. The cephalopods shall read:
"12. cephalopods
12.1 Water supply and quality
Appropriate water supply of suitable quality must be provided at all times.
The structure of the tank and water flow shall meet the needs of the animal, including appropriate oxygenation depending on its size, life stage and ethological needs. The water temperature, salinity, pH and content of nitrogen compounds shall meet the needs of the animal species and form of life. The escape and unintentional introduction of foreign elements shall be prevented by the use of shelters, if necessary.
The cephalopods must have sufficient time to acclimate and adapt to changes in water quality conditions.
12.2 Lighting
The intensity of illumination and photopernicality shall meet the requirements of the animal species.
12.3 Food
The cephalopods shall have a feed regime suitable for the species, development stage and ethological needs.
12.4 Enrichment of environment and handling
The cephalopods shall have at their disposal an appropriate and sufficient amount of physical, cognitive and sensory stimuli that allow a wide range of species specific behaviour. Conditions of placement shall take into account species-specific social needs (i.e. practices of group or solitary animal species). Where appropriate for the species, shelters or burrows shall be available.
If possible, cephalopods shall be handled without their removal from water. The handling of cephalopods outside water shall be limited to the minimum and the equipment in direct contact with animals shall be humidified.
Table 12.1
Legs
| Čeleď | Skupina | Délka těla 1) (cm) | Minimální plocha vodního povrchu (cm2) | Minimální plocha vodního povrchu pro každé další zvíře ve skupinovém umístění (cm2) | Minimální hloubka vody (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sepiidae | Sépie obecná | až do 2 | 100 | 40 | 7 |
| > 2 až 6 | 600 | 200 | 15 | ||
| > 6 až 12 | 1 200 | 400 | 20 | ||
| > 12 | 2 500 | 1 000 | 25 | ||
| Sepiolidae | Sepiolida 2) | až do 1 | 50 | 5 | 5 |
| > 1 až 3 | 120 | 50 | 8 | ||
| > 3 | 150 | 100 | 12 | ||
| Loliginidae | Oliheň obecná 3) 4) | až do 15 | 2 000 | 400 | 60 |
| > 15 až 25 | 4 500 | 900 | 90 | ||
| > 25 | 6 000 | 1 200 | 90 | ||
| Octopodidae | Chobotnice 4) | až do 10 | 2 000 | 600 | 40 |
| > 10 až 20 | 2 600 | 700 | 50 | ||
| > 20 | 4 000 | 1 200 | 50 |
Notes:
1) Length of the dorsal cover.
2) A group of up to 40 individuals.
3) The use of cylindrical tanks must be preferred. The minimum values shall be increased by 5% if other than cylindrical tanks are used.
(4) During the growing-up phase, squid and octopus must be placed in cylindrical tanks with a maximum of 20 freshly hatched pups per litre and methods of limiting visual interaction must be used. "
15. In Annex 10, the table reads:
"'.
16. In Annex 10, the following requirement 17 is added:
"(17) Only applicable to striped Danish (Danio rerio) ≥ 16 days after fertilisation (dpf) and with a maximum body length of 5 cm. The hypothermic shock temperature shall be ≤ 4 ° C and the temperature difference from the location temperature shall be ≥ 20 ° C. The fish must not be in direct contact with the ice. The minimum exposure period shall be 5 minutes. ';
Transitional provisions
1. In administrative proceedings which began before the date of entry into force of this Order and were not definitively terminated before the date of entry into force of this Order, the breeder of experimental animals, the supplier of experimental animals or the user of experimental animals, who applies for the authorisation to breed experimental animals, the authorisation to supply experimental animals or the authorisation to use experimental animals, shall submit data to the assessors in accordance with Decree No. 419 / 2012 Coll., as effective before the date of entry into force of this Decree.
2. In administrative proceedings which began before the date of entry into force of this decree and were not definitively terminated before the date of entry into force of this decree, the assessors shall draw up a written opinion under Decree No. 419 / 2012 Coll., as effective before the date of entry into force of this decree.
Final provision
This Decree was notified in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015 / 1535 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 September 2015 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical and information society services.
Efficacy
This Decree shall take effect on 4 December 2025.
Minister for Agriculture:
Mgr. Excellent v. r.
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Regulation Information
| Citation | Decree No. 496 / 2025 Coll., amending Decree No. 419 / 2012 Coll., on the protection of experimental animals, as amended |
|---|---|
| Regulation Type | Order |
| Author | - |
| Collection | Code of Laws |
| Date of Promulgation | 02.12.2025 |
|---|---|
| Effective from | 04.12.2025 |
| Effective until | - |
| Status | Valid |
The regulation text is for informational purposes only.
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