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ANZCCART

Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)

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What is ANZCCART?

The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) is an independent body which was established to provide a focus for consideration of the scientific, ethical and social issues associated with the use of animals in research and teaching. Such use is often the subject of lively debate. ANZCCART seeks to promote effective communication and co-operation between all parties and assist in the resolution of potential conflicts by promoting awareness of concerns and solutions to problems.

Mission Statement 

ANZCCART will foster and promote best practice in ethical, social and scientific issues relating to the use and wellbeing of animals in research and teaching    

Key Objectives  

To achieve its mission ANZCCART will promote:
  • excellence in the care of animals supplied for or used in research, testing, and teaching;
  • responsible scientific use of animals;
  • the three Rs policy of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement as they apply to the use of animals for scientific purposes;
  • informed discussion and debate within the community regarding these matters;
  • strategic partnerships to contribute to the education and training of scientists, students and the broader community. 

ANZCCART operates on a purely advisory basis and provides guidance and information to all interested parties including Animal Ethics Committees, scientists, teachers, regulatory authorities, granting agencies, government, animal welfare organisations, the media and the general public. ANZCCART is governed by separate Boards in New Zealand and Australia. ANZCCART (NZ) is a Committee of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Its principal sponsors are the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee and AgResearch Ltd but it also receives annual contributions and/ or other support from organisations including the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Royal New Zealand SPCA.

ANZCCART’s principal sponsors in Australia are the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, Australian Research Council, CSIRO, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and the Royal Society of New Zealand. State and Territory Government Departments responsible for the management of animal welfare legislation are also members, as is the RSPCA.

ANZCCART promotes and supports the commitment to the principles embodied in the legislation regulating the use of animals in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand (Animal Welfare Act 1999, Part 6), the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes and the relevant animal welfare legislation enforced by each State or Territory Government.

The above is also available as a pdf.

Code of Practice for the Use of Veterinary and Human Medicines in Research, Testing and Teaching Organisations

Introduction

The Code of Practice for the Use of Veterinary and Human Medicines in Research, Testing and Teaching Organisations is of vital importance to all scientists using anaesthetics, analgesics, antibiotics and a range of other drugs in experimental animals. It has been developed in response to a fundamental change in drug legislation through the implementation of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997. The Act provides for the prevention or management of risks associated with the use of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines in animals; specifically, risks to trading in primary produce, to animal welfare and to agricultural security. It is also required that the use of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines does not breach domestic food residue standards. In brief, this change now requires a registered veterinarian to assess the requirement for the use of medicines in animals to ensure the welfare of the animals and then the veterinarian must write a prescription for the proposed use of all prescription medicines, regardless of whether they are human or veterinary products. The drug use is linked to an approved Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) protocol. There are other compliance requirements, but they are not discussed here. The reader should consult the Code (below) for further details.

Because the Code affects all institutions using experimental animals, its preparation involved wide consultation with research institutions. In August 2001 the Royal Society of New Zealand sent drafts to the CEOs of all institutions with an AEC, to the Chairpersons of all AECs, to MAF and the ACVM Group. In addition a working party was established and comprised representatives of universities, MAF, AgResearch, the Ministry of Health and the Royal Society. Extensive consultation took place to consider the implications of the legislative change. The Royal Society has sponsored this Code to ensure it is written on behalf of the research community in New Zealand. The Code was finally gazetted on 5 December 2002 and is now in force.

Despite the above consultation it appears that the research community is generally unaware of the ACVM Act and its compliance requirements. It should be noted that this Code represents a creative solution that gives the research scientist considerable concessions. It provides for continued access by scientists to the drugs essential for performing animal manipulations. The drug reconciliation and security requirements are commensurate with the demands made of other professions; pharmacy and veterinary practice. Scientists will be pleased to learn that it is an institutional (rather than individual) responsibility to establish an operational plan or framework under which these drugs may be used. Furthermore, the range of drugs covered by the ACVM Act is limited to those used in the direct management of the animal. Therefore drugs or compounds used as research variables are excluded from these requirements. For example, a hypotensive agent used in a cardiovascular study, or a receptor agonist used in neurological study would be considered research variables and not subject to the controls defined in the Code. However, any drug or compound that has the potential to enter the food chain is covered by this Act and it is advisable to get confirmation from the ACVM group if the animals are to enter the food chain.

Institutions can expect to be audited by the ACVM Group at any time. Failure to comply with this Code of Practice may result in prosecution under the ACVM Act 1997. In the case of a natural person fines range from $5,000 to $30,000. In the case of a corporation fines range from $75,000 to $150,000. Employers, and directors and officers of bodies corporate may also be liable.

In summary, the compliance costs for the research scientist will largely depend upon the operational structure that is established by the institution. Regardless of structure, the Code does provide for continued access by researchers to drugs necessary for the performance of animal manipulations.

The code in full.

Archives

To receive ANZCCART News or to obtain further information about ANZCCART, please contact:

ANZCCART New Zealand
c/- Royal Society of New Zealand,
PO Box 598, Wellington,
New Zealand
Tel.: 64-4-472 7421
Fax: 64-4-473 1841
e-mail: anzccart@rsnz.org

ANZCCART Australia
c/oThe University of Adelaide, SA5005
Australia
Tel.: 61-8-8303 7586
Fax: 61-8-8303 7587
e-mail anzccart@adelaide.edu.au

Main World-Wide Web page: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ANZCCART/

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