Our knowledge of the functioning of the brain and
nervous system and of animal welfare has advanced
rapidly in recent years (Broom & Johnson 2000, Broom
& Zanella 2004). New knowledge has tended to show
that the abilities and functioning of non-human animals
are more complex than had previously been
assumed, so it is my opinion that some re-appraisal of
the threshold levels for protection is needed. Proposals
for change have been made by the EFSA Scientific
Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (2005)