A rise in the number of animals used in laboratory experiments in some EU countries - including an almost 200% rise in Ireland - was condemned as “Europe’s shame” today.

TOUGHER controls on the use of animals in scientific experiments will come into force in two years after final approval by MEPs yesterday.

Animal welfare campaigners have accused the European Commission of producing a “scientifically flawed” and biased report on the need for tougher laws to safeguard live animals used in research.