Brussels, 22/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to pursue the infringement proceeding initiated against Spain for persistently failing to respect the directive relating to animal experiments (86/609/EEC). This Member State will receive a reasoned opinion (second stage of the procedure under Article 226 of the Treaty) for not yet having adopted legislation to put an end to incorrect practices in force in Andalucia, where breeding centres for laboratory animals are not regulated. The Spanish authorities have drawn up a draft decree relating to the registration of these breeding centres, but the text's implementation is not for tomorrow. Whence the Commission's decision to move on to the next stage of the infringement proceedings to encourage Spain to conform with Community law as soon as possible.