Policy
As of October 2008 this website is being updated to reflect new procedures, policies and information pertaining to the welfare of animals used in scientific research and teaching.
Please regularly check this website for updates and contact the Animal Welfare Officer if you have any questions about the procedures you must follow when using animals in your research or teaching activities.
Legislation, Guidelines & AEC Policies
Legislation
Legislation you should be familiar with and operate within includes but are not limited to:
- The Animal Research Act 1985 - Regulation (NSW)
- The Animal Research Amendment Act 1997, No. 25, (NSW)
- Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (NHMRC) 7th Edition, 2004
- Australian Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982
- Export Control Act 1982, including Export Control (Animals) Order 1987
- Quarantine Act 1908
- State-Territory Native Fauna Acts
- State-Territory Occupational Health and Safety Acts
- Retention and disposal of research data - State Records New South Wales (Note that other considerations affecting retention of research data may need to be taken into account).
- Poisons and Therapentic Goods Act 1966 and the NSW Poisons
Guidelines List
Guidelines you should be familiar with and operate within include but are not limited to:
- Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes:the assessment and alleviation of pain and distress in research animals (NHMRC 2008)
- Guidelines to Establish/Modify Animal (vertebrate and invertebrate) Holding Facilities
- Draft Guidelines for Survey of Wildlife ~ rtf
- Ethical guidelines for students using animals or animal tissues for educational purposes produced by ANZCCART ~ pdf
- Guidelines for wildlife research
Links to external agencies
Check the following important sites for essential information on legislation, guidelines and policies:
- Animal Ethics Infolink
- Animal Welfare Unit NSW Agriculture
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)
Copies of the legislation / guidelines noted above are available via the hyperlinks or they may be obtained from the Animal Welfare Officer leanne.gillespie@vc.mq.edu.au or Ethics Secretariat ethics.secretariat@vc.mq.edu.au who can also assist you in ascertaining which legislation or code applies to you.
AEC Policies:
Conducting research interstate
If you are conducting research interstate there may be additional legislation or guidelines that you need to comply with. Please check with the Department of Agriculture or Primary Industries in the State in which you wish to do your research or contact the Ethics Secretariat ethics.secretariat@vc.mq.edu.au
Re-use of animals
When planning your research please note that the Code of Practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes states that (Section 3.3.11):
"Individual animals must not be used in more than one scientific acivity, either in the same or different projects, without AEC approval. However appropriate re-use of animals may reduce the total number of animals used in a project, result in better experimental design, reduce distress or avoid pain to other animals."
Re-homing of animals
Macquarie University's AEC has a Re-homing of animals Policy. This policy relates to requests to re-home animals if formal approval for re-homing has not already been granted as part of an approved protocol.
The Animal Welfare Officer is empowered to assess the suitability of animals for re-homing. Please contact the Animal Welfare Officer leanne.gillespie@vc.mq.edu.au if you have animals that you would like to re-home, or if you are approached by people outside the University regarding the possibility of re-homing one or more of your animals. A Certificate of Transfer of Ownership form will need to be completed by the AWO, the relevant researcher and the recipient of the animal when an animal is re-homed.
Collaborative Research
The term 'collaborative' research includes animal research projects that are carried out under informal collaborative arrangements at more than one institution.
Under the Australian Code of Practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes Macquarie University's AEC must be informed about collaborative research projects involving Macquarie University researchers even if they are being conducted at other institutions in Australia (Section 2.2.41, 2.2.42) or overseas (Section 2.2.45, 2.2.46). If your research is likely to involve collaboration with other institutions, please contact the Ethics Secretariat ethics.secretariat@vc.mq.edu.au
Reporting requirements for unexpected deaths and adverse events
To ensure Macquarie University's procedures are in line with current requirements of NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 2004 (2.2.28, 3.1.12, 3.3.24, 4.5.4) the following policy should be followed:
The Animal Welfare Officer must be notified of any unexpected deaths or adverse events within 72 hours. The AWO will report such deaths or adverse events to the AEC at the next opportunity.
For the purposes of these reporting requirements an unexpected death is defined as any animal death that occurs prior to the approved experimental endpoint. Euthanasia carried out as a result of unforeseen complications or an adverse event is subject to the same reporting requirements.
Where an unexpected death of an animal occurs, the researcher must be able to demonstrate that an attempt was made to determine the cause of death. Unless the cause of death is obvious on preliminary observation (such as trauma) then a veterinarian experienced in the species should carry out such post mortems. For the purposes of Macquarie University's AEC preliminary observation includes gross inspection of body cavities conducted by the researcher or other experienced Macquarie University staff member.
Please contact the Animal Welfare Officer leanne.gillespie@vc.mq.edu.au for advice regarding post mortem requirements and assistance with organising the appropriate veterinary or pathology services.
Assistance - please contact us:
For advice on legislation, guidelines, AEC policies and how they relate to your research or teaching projects, please contact the Animal Welfare Officer leanne.gillespie@vc.mq.edu.au or Ethics Secretariat ethics.secretariat@vc.mq.edu.au.