Inspections under the Animal Research Act (Factsheet 9)
Three different types of visits are conducted:
- Accreditation site visits.
- Inspection of animal research authority and animal supply licence holders' facilities.
- Investigation of complaints.
The purpose of these visits is to ensure that animal research and supply complies with the legislation and Code of Practice. Accreditation, authorities and licences are issued subject to a satisfactory inspection and can be suspended or cancelled.
Accreditation site visits and inspections of licence holders
Aims
The aim of site inspections is to determine whether institutions and individuals are complying with the legislation. The Code of Practice provides the criteria against which institutions are assessed.
This includes assessing the membership, procedures and activities of the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), animal care procedures, animal research procedures and the physical facilities for housing and using animals. Central to this is an evaluation of the well-being of the experimental or breeding animals.
Routine visits are arranged two months in advance and usually take from 1-4 days per site. Large establishments with multiple sites can take up to two weeks to inspect. Information about inspections conducted in the last year, including the time taken per inspection and the contribution of members, is provided in Appendices of the Animal Research Review Panel’s Annual Report.
Assessment of written material
Assessment commences with an examination of written material provided by the institution or individual. This includes a list of the protocols considered by the AEC and the people issued with animal research authorities; ethics committee minutes, annual report and records of inspections conducted; information about the procedures of the committee’s operation and decisions.
The examination is carried out by an Animal Welfare Unit veterinary officer and the Panel members who have been nominated to participate in the inspection. This pre-inspection evaluation allows likely problem areas to be identified and a general idea to be gained of how the establishment is operating.
Inspection of facilities and meeting with the ACEC
The inspection team then looks at the animals and the facilities before meeting with the Committee. At the meeting with the AEC, the team discusses problems identified in the course of the inspection of the facilities and the examination of the protocols.
The committee’s procedures are also discussed, with particular emphasis on obtaining the views of the external members.
Another important consideration is how the committee liaises with researchers. Also assessed is whether the committee has developed its own policies or guidelines for procedures of particular concern, such as the use of Freund’s adjuvant, or the recognition and relief of pain.
Any serious concerns are immediately referred to the institution at the appropriate level. A letter is usually sent to the institution within a week of the visit providing the general impressions of the site visit team and reinforcing the need to deal with any serious problems which may have been identified during the visit.
Inspection report
A detailed report is prepared as soon as possible after the inspection. The report covers an evaluation of the AEC, assessment of the well-being of the animals, housing and holding cages, pens or compounds and animal care and monitoring, including emergency procedures.
Once the Panel has considered the report, recommendations may arise which will alter the terms of accreditation or licence. Conditions of an earlier accreditation may have been met or the Panel may feel additional conditions should be imposed. For example, a condition may be that appropriate post-operative procedures must be implemented.
Revisits
The Panel also conducts revisits to institutions (and individuals) where particular concerns were raised during previous inspections. The primary purpose of these revisits is to evaluate the responses to recommendations and conditions imposed.
The Panel has a program of full inspections for all institutions and licence-holders. The aim is for each institution to have a complete visit and assessment for reaccreditation every three years. Re-inspections concentrate more on procedures rather than facilities - unless new facilities have been built. Announced and unannounced spot checks and visits to look at specific aspects may be carried out between full visits.
Investigation of complaints
When a formal complaint is investigated, veterinary officers of the Department can enter any research establishment, animal supply unit, place where animal research is performed or animals are kept for research.
They can:
- search and inspect the premises for animals, equipment, materials or documents used in animal research;
- seize animals;
- take samples;
- examine items and animals;
- take copies of documents and require people on the premises to assist them in their inspection.
The Act prescribes strict penalties for people who provide false or misleading information to inspectors or who obstruct them in their duties.
The Panel has a policy on investigation of complaints: Complaints under the Animal Research Act.