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Code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific procedures | AG0972 |
Bureau of Animal Welfare, Attwood
October, 2001 |  |
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The purpose of the Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Procedures (1998 Revision) (the Code) is to ensure the humane care of animals used in scientific procedures.
Authority
The Code is made under section 7 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (the Act).
Status of Code
It is an offence under section 32 of the Act for a person to carry out a scientific procedure except in accordance with this Code.
It is a defence to any proceedings under the Act that the act complained of was carried out in accordance with the Code.
Definition of Terms Used in this Code
The terms "animal", "scientific procedure", "scientific establishment" and "breeding establishment" have the same definitions as contained in the Act.
A reference to the National Code of Practice is a reference to the "Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes", 6th Edition 1997 prepared by a joint working party of the National Health and Medical Research Council, CSIRO, Agriculture Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Australian Research Council, Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee and representatives of the State and territory Governments of Australia and welfare organisations (RSPCA and ANZFAS) and published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra 1997.
General
The care or use of animals on which or in connection with which scientific procedures are carried out; and the keeping, care, treatment, handling or use of animals at or on the premises, facilities, equipment or conditions at any scientific establishment or breeding establishment-must be in compliance with the National Code of Practice.
It may be noted that the National Code of Practice covers fish. Fish do not fall within the scope of this Code.
Scientific Establishments
Scientific establishments at which animals are used for scientific procedures must observe the following:
- Each establishment must have an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)
- All experiments must be properly designed, and detailed proposals of the experimentation should be approved by the AEC before any work is commenced.
- Proper care should be given to the selection of the species of animals to be used, and all animals to be used in scientific procedures should be healthy and properly housed and maintained.
- All staff involved in the care and maintenance of animals, or in carrying out scientific procedures of animals, should be properly supervised.
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Breeding Establishments
Breeding establishments should ensure that-
- all animals at the premises are healthy and properly housed and maintained; and
- all staff involved in either the care or maintenance of animals are properly trained or supervised.
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Availability of incorporated Code
The National Code of Practice incorporated in this document is available from the Australian Commonwealth Government Bookshop, 190 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000, phone (03) 96704224 or 132447.
Approved by the governor in Council 22 September 1998
Issued by the Minister for Agriculture and Resources
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
Published in the Victorian Government Gazette 3 June 1999
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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