Bureau of Animal Welfare Animal Ethics Committee Newsletter - Issue 15
May 2009
Welcome to the 15th Bureau of Animal Welfare (BAW) Animal Ethics Committee Newsletter, a source of information and updates relevant to persons involved in the use of animals in scientific procedures. The Bureau website (www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare) also contains useful information and resources that is updated regularly. Type in www.dpi.vic.gov.au/animalwelfare/procedures to go directly to the Animals in Research and Teaching pages.
Please send any comments or queries regarding this newsletter or other AEC matters that you would like to see raised in future newsletters to the Principal Veterinary Officer (PVO), contact details below. If you do not wish to receive this email newsletter in the future, please contact the PVO.
Black Saturday Bushfires
The catastrophic bushfires that swept through the state on February 7th 2009 had a far reaching impact that was felt through the Victorian scientific and AEC communities.
It is with great regret that the Bureau records the loss of Associate Professor John Barnett and his wife Jenny at Steels Creek. John was a stress physiologist specialising in pig and poultry welfare; his PhD investigated stress effects in the brown antechinus and he was a member of the Mammal Survey Group of Victoria. He was the perfect fit for the DPI’s Wildlife and Small Institutions AEC, which oversees the trapping and marking of wildlife under DSE Scientific Permits, as well as scientific procedures conducted by small licence holders. John chaired the WSI AEC since its inception and was an astute and inspiring chairman who made a remarkable contribution to the AEC. He will be sadly missed.
The Bureau extends its deepest sympathies to John and Jenny’s families, and to everyone touched by the bushfires. Many institutions and AECs have lost people important to them and many people are struggling with the aftermath of this distressing event. It has been wonderful to see the way the community has supported people affected by the fires in their time of need.
Get Ready
Review of the 7th edition of the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes
The Code Liaison Group met in early April for preliminary discussion on the revision of the 7th edition of the Australian Code.A tentative date for a targeted consultation with AECs and scientific licence holders was proposed for late June this year, with a consultation period of 8 weeks.
Prior to this targeted consultation the NHMRC seeks to establish an understanding of the activities of and challenges faced by AECs. To do this they have composed a survey which will be distributed by the Bureau to all Victorian AECs via email. Responses would be appreciated by May 31st 2009, sent to the NHMRC. Information will be aggregated by the NHMRC and distributed back to AECs in a deidentified format.
The Bureau encourages all people involved with the care and use of animals for scientific purposes to carefully consider the current Code and identify any areas or issues requiring attention. Issues that have been raised with the Bureau to date include:
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- Retention of the current categorization of ‘musts’ and ‘shoulds’ discriminating minimum standards from improved practices.
- Section 2.1, Responsibilities of institutions to better engage with institutions and encourage robust communication between all parties concerned with animal welfare in research and teaching.
- An emphasis on continuous improvement of AEC function and animal welfare administration within institutions.
- An emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach to management of animals in research and teaching, taking into consideration the range of people and expertise involved in research projects and the communication needed for these arrangements.
- Clarification of section 2.2, Responsibilities and Operation of AECs, particularly of requirements for a quorum of members, adverse incident management, conflict resolution and use of the Executive.
- Inclusion of a mandatory category E member, being a person responsible for care and husbandry of animals.
- Centralisation within the Code of minimum requirements, e.g. record keeping by investigators, to facilitate compliance.
- The Appendix 1 External triennial review: number of review team members to be mandated at >1; may not be acceptable if conducted by the state regulator.
Please feel free to contact the PVO about these or any other topics of interest.
Victorian AECs, licence holders, licence nominees and institutions will be consulted in June 2009 on the revision of the 7th edition of the Australian Code.
AEC Advisory Committee (AECAC) Update
Nominations for the AECAC have closed: Nominations for the 4 positions renewing in 2009 were impressive and the process of selection and appointment is now underway. Keep watching the newsletter for updates on the AECAC membership.
Issues for the AEC Advisory Committee? Don’t forget the AECAC is here to provide you with the opportunity to raise any issues, make recommendations and provide a forum for broader discussions of any matters relevant to AECs. You can submit your concerns or questions by contacting BAWdirectly (contact details on last page), Anonymity and confidentiality can be maintained at your request.
State Regulators’ Group update
The fifth meeting of the State Regulators for the use of animals in research and teaching was held early in April, directly after the Code Liaison Group meeting. Representatives from Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and ANZCCART attended.
Discussion focussed on the upcoming review of the Australian Code: a topic of concern to all regulators was the potential impact on NHMRC Administering Institutions if the Code Liaison Group elects to exclude State Regulators from meeting the requirements of the Appendix 1 triennial external review. This would mean that institutions receiving NHMRC funding would be required to organise their own external triennial review in addition to undergoing the existing triennial review conducted by the Bureau of Animal Welfare. To quantify the potential impact of this suggested change, the Bureau will contact NHMRC Administering Institutions to discuss current processes and possible future arrangements.
Use of animals for research and teaching across State borders—a reminder
Each Australian state or territory has legislation governing the use of animals in research and teaching. Each jurisdiction requires those wishing to use animals for research or teaching to hold the relevant licence, accreditation or registration in that state. Each jurisdiction requires compliance with the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.
The State Regulators’ Group is working on a model of interstate recognition of AECs so that in future an AEC monitored by another state regulator may approve projects to be conducted interstate. Currently this arrangement exists between NSW, VIC and QLD. However this does
not replace the need for persons or corporations to be licensed by the relevant State Regulator. Details of licensing requirements for each jurisdiction may be found at:
www.animalethics.org.au/legislation/otheraustralianlegislation
Using animals for research or teaching without a licence from the state where the work is conducted is an offence.
Bureau of Animal Welfare training in 2009
The first training dates have been set for the new training courses to be run by the Bureau in 2009.
Breaking news: sessions on 27th May and 3rd June are now full. Please contact us to register your interest so we can organise more sessions.
Training for chairs and institutions 27th May 2009
Chairs of AECs, Licence Nominees, Executive Officers, Institutional administrators, Animal Welfare Officers and Animal Care supervisors are invited to this training session. The day will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions. All attendees are welcome to attend the morning session, with the afternoon reserved specifically for Chairs of AECs.
The morning session will review the various responsibilities prescribed by the Australian Code and clarify the different roles of the AEC, Licence Nominee and Institution for participants. Institutions are encouraged to enrol their research and / or teaching governance or compliance staff, licence nominee, AEC Chair, Executive Officer, Animal Welfare Officer and Animal Care supervisors so that all members may gain a better understanding of the application of the legislation to their particular institution.
The afternoon session will focus on Chairs of AECs and will provide attendees with an understanding of the role of the Chair, effective meeting procedure and successful communication strategies.
Advanced AEC training 3rd June 2009
This all day training session is open to all AEC members and executive officers.
Advanced AEC training will provide attendees with a set of strategies that will enable them to better fulfil their various roles on an AEC and achieve better welfare outcomes for animals approved for use in research and teaching.
Based on auditor experience and AEC Advisory Committee input, this training session will present a more detailed explanation of the requirements of the Australian Code, and how each AEC member contributes to efficient and compliant AEC function.
To enable us to run these courses there will be a $25 fee to cover costs. Places are limited so please contact alan.fried@dpi.vic.gov.au to enrol. Further session dates will be arranged as necessary.
Remaining introductory AEC training dates for 2009 are 19 June and 20 October. Sessions are free and run from 1.30—5.30pm at 475 Mickleham Rd, Attwood. Other session times and dates may be available if sufficient interest is expressed. Contact alan.fried@dpi.vic.gov.au for more information.
ANZCCART conference funding 2009
The Bureau of Animal Welfare is pleased to announce financial support for independent (C & D category) AEC members’ attendance at the ANZCCART conference, July 28—30 in Port Douglas, Queensland.
Funding will be provided for a limited number of independent members of Victorian AECs to attend the ANZCCART conference. The Bureau will meet the cost of conference registration (including the conference dinner) and accommodation for 3 nights in a standard room at the conference venue. It is anticipated that institutions will fund the cost of travel for their attendees.
Each year the Bureau provides support for a number of active, independent AEC members to attend the ANZCCART conference. It is important to the Bureau that these voluntary members are encouraged and supported with professional development, and the opportunity to meet other C & D category members.
Please send your expression of interest to the PVO via email or mail (see back page for contact details). Applications must arrive by 5pm, May 29th and include the following:
- Your name and contact details
- The AEC(s) of which you are a member
- A short (200 words maximum) paragraph on the reasons you’d like to attend the ANZCCART conference
See www.adelaide.edu.au/ANZCCART for conference information.
For your interest...
The February 2009 edition of Alternatives To Laboratory Animals (volume 37 number 1) is a special anniversary volume dedicated to the principle of Reduction. It includes an interesting editorial by Michael Festing dealing with the implications of ignoring genetic variability in toxicity testing. The editorial may be downloaded for free at www.frame.org.uk/page.php?pg_id=196
The 7th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences will be held in Rome, Italy this year from August 30th— September 3rd. See www.aimgroup.eu/2009/WC7 for details.
The ANZLAA conference will be held in New Zealand from 1st—3rd September this year. Early bird registration closes 22nd July. See www.anzlaa.org for details.
Help please! Professor Margaret Rose, Chairman, Animal Research Review Panel (NSW), will participate in a workshop on the education of scientists at the 7th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences.
Professor Rose has asked if people involved in the education of scientists could respond to her request for the following information:
- The importance of the course for persons responsible for directing animal experimentation, education on and use of (replacement) alternatives in the course,
- Use of live animals in course practicals (when and why),
- Which animal species are covered,
- Which techniques are covered and how (handson traning, live demonstrations, audiovisuals),
- Content and length of the education and training programme.
She would also would welcome comments on:
- (Inter)national harmonisation of course content,
- Accreditation,
- (Inter)national recognition of course certificates.
Identification of the institution & a contact person would be very helpful.
If you are able to assist, please respond to Margaret Rose at:
M.Rose@unsw.edu.au
AEC tips
This section is intended to provide some guidance to licence holders, licence nominees, ethics committees, researchers, teachers and animal care staff using information from audits conducted by the Bureau.
Monitoring responsibilities for busy AECs:
Many AECs are extremely busy and find it difficult to perform all the monitoring requirements of the Code to a meaningful standard. Postapproval monitoring is essential to ensuring accountability of the institution and is a mandatory requirement of the Code. The various mechanisms described by the Code are:
- Keeping a register of proposals
- Examination of annual and final reports & followup
- Receipt of adverse incident reports & followup
- Assessment of investigator / teacher competency in procedures and techniques
- Followup on special conditions prescribed by the AEC
- Site and records inspections
- Review of pilot study outcomes
- Establishment of complaint and whistleblower protection mechanisms
AECs should seek to validate their decisions by collecting data comparing the predictions given in the application, the conditions and criteria imposed by the AEC and the animal welfare outcomes. This should be possible from a collation of the information usually submitted to AECs with strategic site inspections.
For example, many AECs find it difficult to establish robust mechanisms to assess investigator competence in procedures and techniques. Often an application form will request the number of years or the number of times the investigator has performed the procedure. This provides no information on the quality of the procedure performed by the particular investigator. To help with this, the AEC may decide to centralise the information collected for this procedure. Annual, final and adverse event reports can be used to collate morbidity and mortality data for this procedure. This may be used to identify training needs and opportunities, and establish known experts in the technique who may train other investigators. The maintenance of a skills register based on personnel competencies or on techniques may assist AECs. AECs should not overlook technical capabilities of animal care staff employed by the institution or labs.
AECs should examine their current annual report format for opportunities to maximise information and streamline workload. Does the form seek information on special conditions imposed by the AEC? The Executive Officer can be valuable in collating the information and presenting it in a readerfriendly format. Likewise, it is important to make the most of site inspections by ensuring that labs with highly technical or complex procedures are visited when the procedure is being conducted. At a minimum, the register of current projects should be used to identify investigator records of interest to the Committee. Those records should be examined for adherence to the requirements of the Code (see the BAW document “Record Keeping for Investigators”) and any conditions prescribed by the AEC.
Taking each of these postapproval mechanisms in isolation will not satisfy the AEC’s need to be aware of the ‘state of play’ of its institution with respect to compliance, skills and animal welfare outcomes. A strategic approach to monitoring can significantly improve AEC awareness (and job satisfaction) without increasing workload.
Dani Maver
Principal Veterinary Officer,
Bureau of Animal Welfare
475 Mickleham Road,
Attwood, Victoria 3049
Tel:+61 3 9217 4200
Fax:+61 3 9217 4416
dani.maver@dpi.vic.gov.au
Mr Alan Fried
Licensing and Compliance Officer
Bureau of Animal Welfare
475 Mickleham Road,
Attwood, Victoria 3049
Tel:+61 3 9217 4200
Fax:+61 3 9217 4416
alan.fried@dpi.vic.gov.au
© State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries 2009 ISSN 14479214 To the extent permitted by law, while all due care has been taken in compiling the information provided in this Animal Ethics Committee Newsletter, the State of Victoria, represented by the Department of Primary Industries and its agents give no warranty as to its accuracy or completeness. The State of Victoria and its agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of or reliance upon any information provided in this Animal Ethics Committee Newsletter. We manage your contact information according to the requirements of the Privacy Act. You can check your contact information held by the BAW by contacting the PVO, contact details above.
