In New Zealand, animals are used in many situations for research, testing and teaching – commonly referred to as RTT.
Lab animal care
Animal use in RTT is strictly controlled under the Animal Welfare Act 1999[1] and organisations using animals must follow an approved code of ethical conduct.[2] This sets out the policies and procedures that need to be adopted and followed by the organisation and its animal ethics committee (AEC).[3] Every project must be approved and monitored by an AEC which includes lay members. The principles of the Three Rs[4] are embodied in the Animal Welfare Act, the operation of all AECs, and all activities that involve the use of animals in research.
In New Zealand, it is legal under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (the Act)[1] to use animals for research, testing and teaching (RTT) purposes. However, because the nature of this work may, in some cases, mean that potential benefits to humans, other animals or the environment may result in some harm to animals, such use carries significant responsibilities and strict legislative obligations.
Statistics
The Ministry for Primary Industries reported that 310,287 animals were used in New Zealand in 2014.[5] The most common species used were cattle (24.3%), mice (18.8%), sheep (14.4%), fish (13.3%), birds (10.2%) and deer (8.1%). The large number of livestock used in research reflects the large amount of agricultural research conducted in New Zealand.
The most common areas of research were 'Basic biological research' (24.3%), 'veterinary research' (19.2%), 'teaching' (16.9%) and 'animal husbandry' (15.4%). According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, only 24% of animals die, or are euthanised, as part of the research. 1.9% of animals used in 2014 were transgenic.[5]
Legislation
Part 6 of the Act[6] applies specifically to the use of animals for RTT purposes.
Under the Act:
Any person or organisation wishing to manipulate animals for RTT purposes must do so under a Code of Ethical Conduct (CEC)[2] approved by the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI),[7] and must establish an animal ethics committee (AEC)[3] to oversee the use of animals within the institution.
The CEC sets out the policies and procedures to ensure that its AEC can operate effectively and that the organisation can meet its obligations under the Act.
The membership of the AEC is set within the legislation and must include three members whose independence from the organisation adds credibility and transparency to the AEC's activities. These include:
a nominee of an approved animal welfare organisation (such as the SPCA[8]);
a nominee of the New Zealand Veterinary Association;[9] and
a layperson to represent the public interest and who is nominated by a local government body.
Animal ethics committees monitor researchers and the animal use that they have approved.[10]
Organisations using animals for RTT must undergo an independent audit at a maximum of every five years to ensure compliance with the Act and with their own CEC.
Records must be kept for all animals used for the purposes of RTT for five years. Code holders are required to submit an annual return, which includes the number of animals used and the impact on their welfare. The statistics supplied to MPI are published each year as an appendix to the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC)[11] annual report.[12]
The Three Rs[4] – Replacement, Reduction and Refinement – relate to the ethical use of animals in RTT.
Replacement - wherever possible, animals should be replaced with non-animal alternatives e.g. computer modelling.
Reduction – numbers of animals should be the minimum necessary to achieve a meaningful result.
Refinement - pain and distress should be reduced as much as possible e.g. by using painkillers, by ensuring appropriate housing or by ensuring the skill of those involved in the use and care of animals.
The importance of the Three Rs is demonstrated by the New Zealand Three Rs Programme,[13] a collaboration between the Massey University Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre,[14]MPI,[7] the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)[15] and NAEAC. The key aims of the Programme are:
to promote understanding and application of the Three Rs in New Zealand;
to encourage new Three Rs strategies in New Zealand;
to profile New Zealand's Three Rs contributions nationally and internationally
to network and liaise with other Three Rs centres internationally
The Three Rs have been incorporated into New Zealand's legislation as can be seen in the following section on AEC considerations.
Animal ethics committees
The legislation requires that AEC members consider any RTT project using animals. Their questions must include the following:
Are the scientific or educational objectives credible?
What is the potential harm to the animals and how can it be minimised (refinement)?
Is the experimental design credible?
Are animals necessary and, if so, is the choice of species appropriate (replacement)?
Can a less sentient species be used?
Are the animal numbers the minimum necessary to get a meaningful result (reduction)?
What procedures are in place to care for the animals (refinement)?
Are those involved in the project suitably qualified (refinement)?
What measures have been taken to ensure that experimental work is not being duplicated (reduction)?
In considering projects, AECs may approve the work, they may require certain conditions to be put in place before approval is granted, or they may reject the proposal. They are also required to monitor compliance with any approved project,[10] and can suspend or revoke the approval if necessary.
The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee
The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC)[11] is an independent committee whose membership includes animal welfare experts, veterinarians, scientists and lay people. It provides independent, expert advice to the Minister for Primary Industries on policy and practices relating to the use of animals in RTT. The committee also provides advice and support to AECs to maximise good decision-making. Assistance is provided in the following ways:
AEC workshops;
provision of induction packs for new AEC members;
publication of policies and procedures;
distribution of newsletters;
response to queries from AECs;
publication of an ‘occasional paper’ series on issues of importance to AECs;
visits to regional AECs.
NAEAC also presents an annual "Three Rs Award" which recognises achievement in implementation of the Three Rs by an individual or organisation.[16]
^ abcMinistry for Primary Industries. "Guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999: Table of Contents". Guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Ministry for Primary Industries. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ abcMinistry for Primary Industries. "Guide to the Preparation of Codes of Ethical Conduct". Ministry for Primary Industries. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ abcMinistry for Primary Industries. "Animals in Research". Ministry for Primary Industries. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ abNational Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research. "NC3Rs". NC3Rs. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ ab"New Zealand publishes 2014 statistics on animal research". Speaking of Research. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
^Ministry for Primary Industries. "Use Of Animals In Research, Testing & Teaching (RTT)". Guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Ministry for Primary Industries. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ abcMinistry for Primary Industries. "Ministry for Primary Industries". Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ abSPCA New Zealand. "SPCA". SPCA. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^NZVA. "New Zealand Veterinary Association". NZVA. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ abNational Animal Ethics Advisory Committee. "Monitoring methods for animal ethics committees" (PDF). NAEAC. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^Massey University. "NZ-3Rs Programme". Massey University. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^Massey University. "Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre". Massey University. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^ abRoyal Society of New Zealand. "Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)". Royal Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
^Ministry for Primary Industries. "Three Rs Award". Ministry for Primary Industries. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
External links
New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society
Understanding Animal Research (UK)
Speaking of Research
March 04, 2023
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In New Zealand animals are used in many situations for research testing and teaching commonly referred to as RTT Lab animal care Animal use in RTT is strictly controlled under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 1 and organisations using animals must follow an approved code of ethical conduct 2 This sets out the policies and procedures that need to be adopted and followed by the organisation and its animal ethics committee AEC 3 Every project must be approved and monitored by an AEC which includes lay members The principles of the Three Rs 4 are embodied in the Animal Welfare Act the operation of all AECs and all activities that involve the use of animals in research Contents 1 Introduction 2 Statistics 3 Legislation 4 The Three Rs 5 Animal ethics committees 6 The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee 7 Abbreviations and acronyms 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksIntroduction EditIn New Zealand it is legal under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 the Act 1 to use animals for research testing and teaching RTT purposes However because the nature of this work may in some cases mean that potential benefits to humans other animals or the environment may result in some harm to animals such use carries significant responsibilities and strict legislative obligations Statistics EditThe Ministry for Primary Industries reported that 310 287 animals were used in New Zealand in 2014 5 The most common species used were cattle 24 3 mice 18 8 sheep 14 4 fish 13 3 birds 10 2 and deer 8 1 The large number of livestock used in research reflects the large amount of agricultural research conducted in New Zealand The most common areas of research were Basic biological research 24 3 veterinary research 19 2 teaching 16 9 and animal husbandry 15 4 According to the Ministry for Primary Industries only 24 of animals die or are euthanised as part of the research 1 9 of animals used in 2014 were transgenic 5 Legislation EditPart 6 of the Act 6 applies specifically to the use of animals for RTT purposes Under the Act Any person or organisation wishing to manipulate animals for RTT purposes must do so under a Code of Ethical Conduct CEC 2 approved by the Director General of the Ministry for Primary Industries MPI 7 and must establish an animal ethics committee AEC 3 to oversee the use of animals within the institution The CEC sets out the policies and procedures to ensure that its AEC can operate effectively and that the organisation can meet its obligations under the Act The membership of the AEC is set within the legislation and must include three members whose independence from the organisation adds credibility and transparency to the AEC s activities These include a nominee of an approved animal welfare organisation such as the SPCA 8 a nominee of the New Zealand Veterinary Association 9 and a layperson to represent the public interest and who is nominated by a local government body Animal ethics committees monitor researchers and the animal use that they have approved 10 Organisations using animals for RTT must undergo an independent audit at a maximum of every five years to ensure compliance with the Act and with their own CEC Records must be kept for all animals used for the purposes of RTT for five years Code holders are required to submit an annual return which includes the number of animals used and the impact on their welfare The statistics supplied to MPI are published each year as an appendix to the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee NAEAC 11 annual report 12 The Three Rs EditMain article Three Rs animal research The Three Rs 4 Replacement Reduction and Refinement relate to the ethical use of animals in RTT Replacement wherever possible animals should be replaced with non animal alternatives e g computer modelling Reduction numbers of animals should be the minimum necessary to achieve a meaningful result Refinement pain and distress should be reduced as much as possible e g by using painkillers by ensuring appropriate housing or by ensuring the skill of those involved in the use and care of animals The importance of the Three Rs is demonstrated by the New Zealand Three Rs Programme 13 a collaboration between the Massey University Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre 14 MPI 7 the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching ANZCCART 15 and NAEAC The key aims of the Programme are to promote understanding and application of the Three Rs in New Zealand to encourage new Three Rs strategies in New Zealand to profile New Zealand s Three Rs contributions nationally and internationally to network and liaise with other Three Rs centres internationallyThe Three Rs have been incorporated into New Zealand s legislation as can be seen in the following section on AEC considerations Animal ethics committees EditThe legislation requires that AEC members consider any RTT project using animals Their questions must include the following Are the scientific or educational objectives credible What is the potential harm to the animals and how can it be minimised refinement Is the experimental design credible Are animals necessary and if so is the choice of species appropriate replacement Can a less sentient species be used Are the animal numbers the minimum necessary to get a meaningful result reduction What procedures are in place to care for the animals refinement Are those involved in the project suitably qualified refinement What measures have been taken to ensure that experimental work is not being duplicated reduction In considering projects AECs may approve the work they may require certain conditions to be put in place before approval is granted or they may reject the proposal They are also required to monitor compliance with any approved project 10 and can suspend or revoke the approval if necessary The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee EditThe National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee NAEAC 11 is an independent committee whose membership includes animal welfare experts veterinarians scientists and lay people It provides independent expert advice to the Minister for Primary Industries on policy and practices relating to the use of animals in RTT The committee also provides advice and support to AECs to maximise good decision making Assistance is provided in the following ways AEC workshops provision of induction packs for new AEC members publication of policies and procedures distribution of newsletters response to queries from AECs publication of an occasional paper series on issues of importance to AECs visits to regional AECs NAEAC also presents an annual Three Rs Award which recognises achievement in implementation of the Three Rs by an individual or organisation 16 Abbreviations and acronyms EditAEC Animal Ethics Committee 3 ANZCCART Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching 15 AWA Animal Welfare Act 1999 1 CEC Codes of Ethical Conduct 2 MPI Ministry for Primary Industries 7 NAEAC National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee 11 RTT Research testing and teaching SPCA Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 8 See also EditAnimal welfare in New Zealand Agriculture in New ZealandReferences Edit a b c Ministry for Primary Industries Guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 Table of Contents Guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 Ministry for Primary Industries Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b c Ministry for Primary Industries Guide to the Preparation of Codes of Ethical Conduct Ministry for Primary Industries Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b c Ministry for Primary Industries Animals in Research Ministry for Primary Industries Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research NC3Rs NC3Rs Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b New Zealand publishes 2014 statistics on animal research Speaking of Research 16 February 2016 Retrieved 14 October 2016 Ministry for Primary Industries Use Of Animals In Research Testing amp Teaching RTT Guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 Ministry for Primary Industries Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b c Ministry for Primary Industries Ministry for Primary Industries Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b SPCA New Zealand SPCA SPCA Retrieved 1 September 2012 NZVA New Zealand Veterinary Association NZVA Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee Monitoring methods for animal ethics committees PDF NAEAC Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b c NAEAC National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee NAEAC NAEAC Retrieved 1 September 2012 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee NAEAC Annual Reports NAEAC Retrieved 1 September 2012 Massey University NZ 3Rs Programme Massey University Retrieved 1 September 2012 Massey University Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre Massey University Retrieved 1 September 2012 a b Royal Society of New Zealand Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching ANZCCART Royal Society of New Zealand Retrieved 1 September 2012 Ministry for Primary Industries Three Rs Award Ministry for Primary Industries Retrieved 1 September 2012 External links EditNew Zealand Anti Vivisection Society Understanding Animal Research UK Speaking of Research Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Regulation of animal research in New Zealand amp oldid 1140749674, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
