Bureau of Animal Welfare Animal Ethics Committee Newsletter - No. 16
16 December 2009
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Welcome to the 16th Bureau of Animal Welfare (BAW) Animal Ethics Committee Newsletter, a source of information and updates relevant to people 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 are 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 on the last page). If you do not wish to receive this email newsletter in the future, please contact the PVO.
Bureau update
Annual Scientific Seminar and Wildlife Research Welfare Workshop The Bureau’s annual scientific seminar was held at the DPI Attwood Centre on November 19th. A record turnout of about 110 attendees proved that this year’s topic of wildlife research elicits significant interest from a broad range of researchers, AEC members, policy makers and community members.
Ian Temby, Senior Biodiversity Officer with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, spoke about fundamental principles of trapping and gave the audience valuable advice on reducing the chance of adverse outcomes for the animals involved. Dr Melody Serena, OAM, founder of the Australian Platypus Conservancy, presented a detailed account of best practice in the use of fyke nets in riparian habitats. Dr Kathrine Handasyde, Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Melbourne gave an outstanding overview of issues needing consideration by researchers and AECs when planning targeted studies in the field. Maxwell Campbell, Executive Officer of the DPI’s Wildlife and Small Institutions AEC, gave a summary of his highly successful application of risk management processes to the planning of wildlife research.
The afternoon followed with a workshop of invited wildlife research experts and experienced veterinary practitioners tackling the big picture concepts of standards of animal care in the field. Each workgroup discussed a specific trapping method or technique and identified key features relating to animal welfare with some suggestions on how these might be best managed. The results of these workshops will continue to be refined by these groups and other key stakeholders over the next few months, with a view to publishing guidelines for AECs and researchers on the Bureau website.
Hot Weather Alert
The Bureau asks that all licence holders make adequate preparations for housing animals over summer. Over the past few years the Bureau has received several reports of mortalities in Animal Houses where air conditioning units are simply unable to cope with long spells of extreme temperatures. The following letter was sent to all Victorian licence holders on November 17th 2009. It was addressed to officers delegated to sign a licence application or renewal on behalf of the licensed entity. This was a deliberate decision by the Bureau and is intended to raise awareness of this issue in institutions.
Victoria’s climate has been increasingly warm over the past few years, with several days over 40ºC predicted for the summer of 2009-2010. Licence holders are reminded of their obligations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 with respect to the maintenance of the environment in which animals are kept for the purposes of a scientific procedures or a specified animal breeding licence. Specifically, licence holders are obliged to keep animals in accordance with the following mandatory Codes of Practice:
- The Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Australian Code)
- The Victorian Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Laboratory Mice, Rats, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits (the Laboratory Animals Code)
The Australian Code (§4.4.14) states that “(a)nimals must be provided with environmental conditions that suit their behavioural and biological needsunless other conditions are approved by the AEC for a particular project.”
The mandatory maximum temperature for the housing of laboratory rats, mice and guinea pigs is 24ºC. Laboratory rabbits must be housed below 30ºC (Appendix 1 of the Laboratory Animals Code).
Licence holders are recommended to prepare for the coming summer by ensuring that:
- Animal House air conditioning systems are serviced and fully functional;
- Air conditioning and power generation backup systems are tested and serviced;
- Alarm systems exist for plant operation and room temperature, and these are tested;
- Shade and waterpoints are sufficient for animals housed outside;
- Emergency plans are in place for the breakdown of lighting, heating or cooling (as required by §4.4.12 of the Australian Code). Australian conditions exceed the ratings of many air-cooled air conditioning systems and it must be anticipated that these systems will fail when temperatures rise above the mid-30’s.
Hyperthermia is a distressing physiological state occurring when the body is unable to dissipate enough heat to preserve a normal core body temperature. Without treatment, hyperthermia can cause multi-organ failure and death. Inappropriate management of the animal environment during extreme temperatures, leading to hyperthermia, may constitute an offence under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
Licence holders may expect audits conducted by the Bureau of Animal Welfare in 2010 to focus on the management of animals in extreme temperatures.
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Rodents are very good at keeping warm by increasing their metabolic rate and through behavioural changes like huddling together and ‘fluffing up’. They are not very good at dissipating excess heat. Naturally evolved to cool climates, they neither sweat nor pant. Some heat loss occurs through dilated capillaries in the tail and ears. They will spread saliva on their bodies in response to heat, but this has little cooling effect and may contribute to dehydration. Rats will not drink extra water in response to increased temperatures. Behavioural methods used in the wild such as burrowing, flattening against cool surfaces and seeking shade may not be available in an overheated cage. Mice are even more susceptible to high temperatures than rats. Ambient temperatures over 350C have serious consequences for small rodents. |
AEC Advisory Committee (AECAC) Update
New membership of AECAC
The AECAC welcomed a number of new members this year with the expiry of the term of some memberships. The new and continuing members have enthusiastically participated in the completion of adverse incident guidelines and assisted in the Bureau’s submission to the review of the Australian Code. As well, they have advised the Bureau on issues relating to AEC oversight of collaborative and off-site research, volunteer recruitment and the use of animals in sub-tertiary teaching.
The Bureau extends its sincere thanks to outgoing members for their time, their constructive advice and hard work during their terms on the AECAC.
Adverse incident guidelines
The AECAC advice note to AECs, researchers and institutions on prevention and management of adverse incidents is particularly relevant with summer approaching and the combination of hot weather and the holiday season. These guidelines will shortly be available on the BAW website.
Issues for the AEC Advisory Committee?
The AECAC provides you with the opportunity to raise discussions on any matters relevant to AECs. You can submit your questions by contacting the Bureau directly (contact details on last page). Anonymity and confidentiality can be maintained at your request.
Annual returns for 2008—why?
The annual returns for 2008 have been collated and the annual report on animal use in Victoria is being prepared.
The annual statistics play an important part in public accountability for the use of animals for scientific procedures in Victoria. Public acceptance is imperative to the continuing use of animals for scientific purposes, and the publication of the Bureau’s report detailing the animals used, their fates and the benefits of their contribution to science is, at this time, the only indication the public has of the responsible use of animals for science.
The Bureau uses the aggregate figures to analyse trends in animal use in Victoria and to anticipate areas of scientific activity that may have higher impact on animals. The statistics are also useful in evaluating progress (or the need for encouragement) in the reduction in higher impact procedures. The statistics make interesting reading for those concerned with humane use of animals in research and teaching. The Bureau encourages everyone to take a look at the report once it is published online.
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Investigation into Animal Tissue Sharing Models – Request for Input The company wishes to identify AECs, researchers or institutes likely to have (a) an awareness of tissue sharing / banking models (b) possible experience with such models, and (c) are happy to discuss their experiences. If you have an operational tissue sharing model in your organisation, whether it is formal or informal, the experience and information would be valuable in understanding the extent and scope of animal tissue sharing as a viable animal testing reduction methodology. To discuss, or participate in an on-line survey, please contact the Project Leader for this assignment, John Grew, Head of Business Advisory Services at Innovation Dynamics. John may be contacted at jgrew@innovationdynamics.com.au, or mobile +61 (0)42 420 8611. |
Wildlife trapping and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008
The use of animals for research and teaching in Victoria is governed by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (the POCTA Act) and associated Regulations. Accordingly, a scientific procedures licence must be held and AEC approval sought for all research activities using animals. The use of free-ranging wildlife in research is regulated by both the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and the Wildlife Act 1975.
How do the two pieces of legislation relate to each other and what does that mean for AECs?
There is an exemption in the POCTA Act for the taking, collecting, banding and marking of wildlife. The exemption means that those specific activities does not require licensing under the POCTA Act. These activities require a Wildlife Research (Scientific) Permit, issued by the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).
Anything outside these activities (eg, taking samples, performing minor procedures, etc) is not exempt from the POCTA Act and must be carried out under scientific procedures licence and with AEC approval. A Wildlife Research Permit is still required.
Where does the AEC fit into this system? Who looks after the welfare of wildlife?
Despite these two different systems for the regulation of research on wildlife, both scientific procedures licences (BAW) and Wildlife Research Permits (DSE) require AEC approval of the projects. An AEC’s priority in these considerations must be the welfare of the animals involved.
In December 2008, new rules were introduced under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 governing the use of traps in Victoria.
The new trapping Regulations prohibit the use of any trap not listed in the Regulations and prescribe the conditions of use of those that are listed.
Because of the exemption mentioned above, trapping of wildlife under a Wildlife Research Permit is exempt from the requirements of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008. AECs do not have to comply with these Regulations when considering applications to simply trap and mark wildlife (consistent with the wording of the exemption above).
However, AEC approval and wildlife research permits must still be consistent with prevention of cruelty and good animal welfare. The Bureau considers the POCTA trap Regulations to represent a contemporary, evidence-based understanding of the welfare impacts of using traps and they were formulated with extensive consultation. The Bureau would advise AECs to consider the provisions of the Regulations when assessing trapping protocols involving wildlife.
When do the trapping Regulations apply?
Where trapping is not authorised by a Wildlife Research Permit (eg, for vertebrate pest species), the new trapping Regulations apply. The AEC is bound by all relevant legislation when making its decision on the research proposal—that is, they can’t approve something that is otherwise illegal (under the POCTA Act or any other legislation).
When wildlife is not the target of the trapping, AECs that approve trapping practices prohibited by the Regulations will be in breach of the Australian Code. A Fact Sheet on the new trapping rules is available on request from the Bureau of Animal Welfare.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, the Wildlife Act 1975, and their associated Regulations can be found on the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au
Licence nominees and licence holders — what’s the difference?
Feedback to the Bureau of Animal Welfare from licence nominees, researchers and AECs indicates that there is some confusion around the roles and responsibilities of licence holders and licence nominees. First, a bit of legal background: a licence (any licence) may only be issued to a legal entity—a natural person or a corporate body. The majority of the Bureau’s scientific procedures licences and specified animal breeding licences are issued to corporate bodies (organisations). These are the licence holders.
The licence nominee is specific to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986—a natural person nominated by the licence holder to take responsibility for ensuring scientific procedures are conducted in accordance with the Act and the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Australian Code). To perform this function the licence nominee must have sufficient contact with researchers and teachers to be aware of the scope and broad direction of the scientific procedures conducted under the licence. It is more likely that they will be able to properly meet their legal obligations if they have line management over the researchers and teachers working under the licence.
Having appointed the licence nominee, the licence holder (the organisation) retains responsibility for complying with the licence conditions. These conditions can be found on the licence and on the Bureau’s website in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 (Regs 92, 93 (SPPL), 95, 96 (SPFL), 98, 99 (SABL)). Licence holders are also responsible for meeting the responsibilities ascribed to the institution in the Australian Code.
The Bureau regularly finds communication gaps between the licence holder and the officers delegated to ensure compliance with the Act and Code. From the diagram on the left it can be seen that communication between the 3 parties primarily responsible for monitoring compliance is essential.
A particular area for improvement is the recognition by licence holders that there are limits to the actions AECs and licence nominees can take to maintain compliance, and that this is where the institution must step in. Common examples are: in the management of animal facilities, where multiple stakeholders are involved; in the delivery of consistent training across the organisation to all animal users; in dealing with grievances and responding to AEC requests for assistance. The Bureau offers specific training in the roles of institutions (licence holders) and licence nominees. This is a half day session available at a minimal cost, and is run consecutively with the training for AEC chairs. Please contact the Bureau for 2010 training dates.
Contact
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
