ANIMAL RESEARCH ACT ……. 20 YEARS ON. the journey begins…. 1978 - Australian Veterinary Assoc receives brief from NSW government * Separate legislation * Comprehensive review of existing legislation * Ontario legislation as model * Extensive consultation.
* Separate legislation
* Comprehensive review of existing legislation
* Ontario legislation as model
* Extensive consultation
1983- AVA submits proposal to government
1985- Animal Research Act passed
An Act to protect the welfare of animals used in connection with animal research.
Guiding principle– to create legislation which takes into account the rights of opposing groups to hold and express differing views and which attempts to address and recognise issues on which opinions differ in such a way as to bring a degree of acceptance from all concerned.
Public participation in the decision-making process
The proper management of animals used for scientific purposes is essential for their welfare and the validity of research data.
1. Providing a balance between accountability for both the decision to use animals for scientific purposes and the conduct of those activities and the value of freedom of scientific enquiry.
2. Judgements need to reflect a balanced view especially where lack of community consensus.
Institutionalcommitteeswill be effective by bringing considered, collective judgement to the decision to use animals for research and by the close supervision they can bring to the conduct of such research … they must be informed of issues, aware of community and scientific sensitivities and committed to the resolution of conflicts.
It is the collective wisdom of a committee, with each member bringing his or her own expertise to bear on the matter together with other members, that enables a collective judgement to be made.
- Code of Practice
- Accreditation process
1989 - Act amended LD 50 & Draize tests
1990 - Regulations proclaimed
1991 - Act introduced
1992 - Site Visit program
#Self regulatory system
Responsibility & Accountability
Framework for Review
#Good Scientific Practice < > Animal Welfare
# Principles of Practice
In keeping with the notion of promotion of good practice - it incorporates peer review and mandates critical and informed review and appraisal.
To be effective the agency responsible must have sufficient knowledge to evaluate practices and procedures and be able to reflect in its judgement a balanced community view.
Assessment by a panel of persons , including community representatives, should achieve this.