Animal Ethics Committee

University of Tasmania Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)

Purpose

Under the Code of Practice, the purpose of the AEC is to ensure that animal use conforms to the standards of the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, 7th edition 2004.

Membership

Chair
(a) Clinical veterinarian
(b) Persons with research experience:
- Person with experience in aquaculture research
- Person with research experience using laboratory animals
- Person with experience in wildlife research (two members)
(c) Nominees of animal welfare organisation (two members)
(d) Independent (lay) person (two members)
Animal Welfare Officer ( ex-officio )
Secretary: Ms Nicola Hodgman

Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (NHRMC, 7th Edition, 2004)

The 7 th edition (2004) of the Code of Practice has taken changes in technology, biological science and in community attitudes into account.

The Code of Practice is based on the principle that it is necessary to study and use animals for scientific purposes but it ensures that this use is justified and humane.

The role of the AEC is to ensure that the use of animals is justified, provides for the welfare of those animals and incorporates the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement .

Institutions in which animal research is conducted have for many years been required to certify annually, to the NHMRC, that they operate in accordance with the Code. The NHMRC requires that all applications for NHMRC grants have animal ethics committee clearance in cases where the project involves the use of animals.

In Tasmania, adherence to the Code became a legal requirement when it was enacted under the State Government Animal Welfare Act (1993) as the code which must be followed by animal researchers. The Committee is required to report annually to the State Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment on compliance with the Code and provide details of animal usage.

Terms of reference for the Animal Ethics Committee of the University of Tasmania

(i) approve guidelines for the care of animals that are bred, held and used for scientific purposes on behalf of the University of Tasmania (‘the institution');

(ii) monitor the acquisition, transportation, production, housing, care, use and fate of animals;

(iii) recommend to the institution any measures needed to ensure that the standards of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes are maintained;

(iv) describe how members are appointed, re-appointed, or retired, according to procedures developed by the institution in consultation with the AEC;

(v) require that all members declare any conflict of interest;

(vi) deal with situations in which a conflict of interest arises;

(vii) examine and approve, approve subject to modification, or reject written proposals relevant to the use of animals for scientific purposes;

(viii) approve only those studies for which animals are essential and justified and which conform to the requirements of the Code. This should take into consideration factors including ethics, the impact on the animal or animals and the anticipated scientific or educational value;

(ix) withdraw approval for any project (see 2.2.33);

(x) authorise the emergency treatment or euthanasia of any animal (see 2.2.36);

(xi) examine and comment on all institutional plans and policies that may affect the welfare of animals used for scientific purposes;

(xii) maintain a record of proposals and projects;

(xiii) comply with the reporting requirements of the institution and the Code; and

(xiv) perform all other duties required by the Code.

The Terms of Reference are in accordance with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (7 th Edition, 2004) and were adopted by the University of Tasmania Animal Ethics Committee on 21 April 2005.

Executive Committee

At the beginning of each year, the AEC appoints a sub-committee from its members called the Executive.

The Executive does not have the authority to approve initial applications. Rather, it serves to streamline the approval process by vetting applications to identify any areas that require revision, prior to being reviewed by the full Committee. The Executive can approve minor and straightforward modifications and additions/deletions of associate investigators. All decisions of the Executive must be ratified at the next AEC meeting.

Executive meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of each month (a fortnight before AEC meetings). Submissions must be received 7 days prior to the meeting.