Managing the Ethical Review Process in accordance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
As part of the University of St Andrews' Ethical Review Process, the University has an Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee (AWEC).
Process
Ethical and welfare issues should be the concern of all who observe or work with animals, though the AWEC does consider these issues as part of the Ethical Review Process.
Codes of Practice will be updated and reviewed annually and will include the procedure for making submissions to it. Reports of the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee meetings are kept by the Home Office Liaison Officer on behalf of the Certificate Holder and details of relevant business, including outcomes of the Ethical Review Process, will be widely disseminated as appropriate. In addition, however, there will be an Animal House Forum.
Organisational Structure
The University's Certificate Holder is a member of the University's senior management team. Each of the Animal Houses has an Animal House Management Group to whom the Certificate Holder delegates authority for ensuring compliance with the conditions of issue of the certificate and for general administration of the animal houses. The relationship between these officers, project and personal licence holders and other animal house workers is illustrated in the diagram below.
Each Animal House has a Code of Practice, explaining, inter alia, its management structure and the responsibilities of its authorised users. All users are required to read and abide by their Code of Practice and sign a Form of Undertaking stating their acceptance of this requirement. The latest version, with changes made in the last year highlighted, should be submitted with the Annual Animal House Report to the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee.
Home Office and other relevant communications are disseminated on behalf of the Certificate Holder via the Home Office Liaison Officer to animal house workers and users as appropriate.
Animal house forum
Specifically, within the Ethical Review Process, the Animal House Forum will:
- advise on how all staff involved with animals can be appropriately trained and how competence can be ensured
- discuss issues relating to the use of animals and considering how staff can be kept up to date with relevant ethical advice, best practice and relevant legislation
The Animal House Forum, which meets at six-month intervals, is convened by the Certificate Holder and has a membership comprising the Home Office Liaison Officer, both Facilities Managers / Curators, Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers and the Named Veterinary Surgeon; the Estates Security Manager and a Staff Development Officer are in attendance. Technicians and animal researchers are invited to attend these meetings and to submit agenda items. Animal Researchers are also invited to perform a presentation on their work.