Animal experimentation
All applications for approval of the use of animals in teaching or research must be considered at a meeting of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), appointed by the Minister of Environment and Conservation, the Minister responsible for animal welfare.
- Application process
- Forms and guidelines
- Teaching and research permits
- Useful links (policies, acts, codes and guidelines)
Application process
Your typed application must be submitted to the Secretary of the IMVS AEC by the specified dates (at the latest) to enable distribution to members before meetings. It is preferred that applications be circulated well in advance of these dates to allow consideration and the opportunity to contact applicants should further information or clarification of proposals be required.
You must provide the original PLUS FOURTEEN DUPLICATE COPIES of your application to:
Carol Hewitt
Secretary
IMVS Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)
Veterinary Services Division
Gilles Plains Field Station
101 Blacks Road
Gilles Plains SA 5086
Contact
Please contact Carol Hewitt (Tel: 8261 1033 or Email:
carol.hewitt@imvs.sa.gov.au)
if you have general enquiries or enquiries about submitting applications.
Application deadlines
Typed applications must reach the Secretary of the AEC by the following dates (at the latest) to enable distribution to members before meetings. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
| Deadline for receipt of applications | AEC meeting date |
|---|---|
| 24 January 2008 | Thursday 7 February 2008 |
| 6 March 2008 | Thursday 20 March 2008 |
| 3 April 2008 | Thursday 17 April 2008 |
| 8 May 2008 | Thursday 22 May 2008 |
| 12 June 2008 | Thursday 26 June 2008 |
| 17 July 2008 | Thursday 31 July 2008 |
| 14 August 2008 | Thursday 28 August 2008 |
| 11 September 2008 | Thursday 25 September 2008 |
| 23 October 2008 | Thursday 6 November 2008 |
| 27 November 2008 | Thursday 11 December 2008 |
Forms and guidelines
See also Teaching and research permits
Requirements for the
preparation of applications (guidelines for applicants) -
RTF (pc) and
Word (Mac)
Application for ethics approval of
project involving animals -
RTF (pc)
and
Word (Mac)
Application for minor change of protocol -
RTF (pc) and
Word (Mac)
Animal Users Permit - application for permission to use animals
for teaching, research and experimentation -
RTF (pc) and
Word (Mac)
Annual statistics return and annual progress report -
RTF (pc) and
Word (Mac)
Application for executive approval preclinical studies -
RTF (pc) and
Word (Mac)
Application for scavenged tissue - RTF (pc) and
Word (Mac)
Application to establish and maintain an animal breeding colony -
RTF (pc) and
Word (Mac)
Teaching and research permits
Government agencies
The many possible permits that researchers may need are governed by the following agencies:
- Natural Resources Management, part of the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (SA Government) - any work with noxious animal pests (eg wild rabbits, African clawed toads)
- Department for Environment and Heritage (SA Government) - any work with native animals (sensu lato) - dead or alive (eg covers road kills, culled or hunted native animals as well as animals in their own habitat)
- Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (Commonwealth Government) - importation of protected species (see CITES - listed species database), importation of prohibited species (eg hamsters, African clawed toads)
- Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) - permits to import any animal or animal product (eg cell lines, bacteria, laboratory animals)
Applying for a permit
Animal User Permits are approved by IMVS, granting approval to use animals for teaching, research or experimentation required by all employees or students of the University undertaking work with animals regardless of where that work is undertaken or where the animals are housed. Written approval is required from the IMVS Animal Ethics Committee for any animal experimentation.
Some importations (eg African clawed toads) can require three permits plus AQIS accreditation of the premises used to hold the animals.
Australian permits required:
- An AQIS permit is required to import or transfer prohibited species.
- An Australian National Parks and Wildlife Bird and Bat Banding Permit is required for the live capture of birds and bats using mist nets, other netting devices and the use of bird and bat bands.
- Export
or import wildlife products - forms (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts)
South Australian permits required:
The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 provides for a permit system to keep native animals in captivity. A permit to keep and sell most native animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles is required in South Australia.
South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage:
-
Licences and permits for research and teaching involving animals.
Research and teaching using animals may only be performed when they are
essential:
- to obtain and establish significant information relevant to the understanding of humans and/or animals
- for the maintenance and improvement of human and/or animal health and welfare; for the improvement of animal management or production
- to obtain and establish significant information relevant to the understanding, maintenance or improvement of the natural environment
- for the achievement of educational objectives
- Animals in the wild - for permits required and other information
-
Scientific Permits
are required if
the project falls under one or more of the following categories:
- scientific research that involves 'taking' a protected species from the wild (all birds, mammals and reptiles except those listed unprotected in the National Parks and Wildlife Act)
- scientific research carried out in any of the various categories of reserves
- plant specimen collecting.
Useful links
Policy
University policy RES 3.1 must be adhered to. Under this policy, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) procedures must be followed.
Acts and Codes
The following Acts and Codes must be adhered to:
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (SA)
Animal and Plant Control (Agricultural Protection and other purposes)
Act 1986 (SA) (PDF file, 343kb - download
Adobe Acrobat)
Australian
code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific
purposes (NHMRC) (PDF file 469kb)
Australian
Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (PDF 508kb)
Guidelines and resources
Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes:
The assessment and alleviation of pain and distress in research animals
Animal
welfare (Office of Animal Welfare, Department for Environment and
Heritage) - one stop shop for information about legislation, codes of
practice, licences and permits, and more
Australian and New Zealand
Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)
Australia New Zealand Laboratory Animal
Association (ANZLAA)
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) - importation of live animals
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
(UFAW) - a UK site providing material relevant to the use of animals in
teaching and research
Wildlife research
Wildlife
Research (Animal Ethics Infolink) - a NSW Agriculture resource providing
information on captive wildlife, collection of voucher specimens,
opportunistic research on free-living wildlife, use of feral animals in
research, use of pitfall traps, radio tracking in wildlife research and
wildlife surveys.
CITES -
listed species database