Legal framework for animal research

The welfare of animals in New Zealand is covered by the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (the Act).

Part 6 of the Act covers the use of animals for research, testing and teaching (RTT). This part acknowledges that compromised care and pain or distress to animals in some cases may result in significant benefits to people, other animals or the environment. However, the use of animals in RTT involves legislative obligations and responsibilities. One of the provisions of the Act is that any manipulation of a live animal for RTT is prohibited unless it has been approved by an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

All staff and students at the University of Auckland must have University of Auckland AEC approval prior to starting RTT involving animals.

The use of animals in RTT will only be approved if the AEC is satisfied that the conditions specified in the Code of Ethical Conduct and Section 100 of the Act are met.

Any medication that is given to animals to manage the wellbeing of the animals in RTT must be prescribed by a University veterinarian according to the Institutional Operating Plan.

The University regards the use of animals as a justifiable and important part of current teaching and research programmes, provided alternatives are used whenever and wherever possible.

The Act requires the University to have a Code of Ethical Conduct. The Code of Ethical Conduct is approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and enables the University to establish an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to consider applications involving the use of animals for research, testing and teaching.

In conjunction with the Code of Ethical Conduct, the procedures to be followed by the AEC are specified in the:

Anyone working with animals must complete the New Animal Users Legislation Training module prior to working with animals on an approved Animal Ethics Application.

New principal investigators (PIs) must complete the Legislation and the New Principal Investigator training prior to submitting an Animal Ethics application. For more information, contact the animal ethics secretariat.

Any person performing manipulations on animals at the University of Auckland must be trained and assessed as competent before starting the new manipulation. Researchers that gained experience working with animals outside the University of Auckland must be deemed competent prior to working with animals here.

All personnel named on the application must read the current version of the University of Auckland Code of Ethical Conduct to understand the legislation that the University and all investigators comply with and any IDAOs that are associated with the AEC approval:

• The University of Auckland Code of Ethical Conduct

It is also recommended that all personnel on an animal ethics approval read the following:

• The Animal Welfare Act 1999 – Part 6
• NAEAC Good Practice Guide

Medicine officers must read the institutional operating plan for the direct management of animals and the in vitro use of controlled drugs and psychoactive substances:

• Institutional Operating Plan for the Direct Management of Animals and the in vitro use of Controlled Drugs and Psychoactive Substances

In addition, for a better understanding of the requirements in Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999, it is advised to read: ‘The Use of Animals in Research, Testing and Teaching - Users Guide to Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999’.

The details of animal use and approved protocols are official information in terms of the Official Information Act 1982, and members of the public are entitled to request the release of this information. Provided the request complies with the provisions of the Act, and there are no grounds (see e.g. Section 9 of the Act) for withholding the information, the University is obliged to supply the requested information within 20 working days.

Current university policy is not to release information without first advising the Principal Investigator (PI). However, due to the relatively limited time allowed by the legislation to respond to requests, the University will normally be obliged to release the information requested before the PI has commented on it. For this reason, it is important that PIs keep the animal ethics secretariat informed of their contact address before any significant period of absence from the University.

The release of information is handled by the University Counsel, the Vice-Chancellor (Operations) and Registrar, in consultation with the chair of the AEC. All information which might be used to identify individual members of staff is currently withheld. The Act provides, however, that any person can ask the ombudsman to review the University's decision to withhold information. The regulation of animal experimentation and the release of the associated information are subject to change, and animal users will be kept informed of significant developments.

Animal Ethics Committee
Email: animalethics@auckland.ac.nz