The Animal Research Act (1985) No.123 and Animal Research Regulation (1995) No.450 were introduced to protect the welfare of animals, by ensuring their use in research is always humane, considerate, responsible and justified.  Any organisation that uses or supplies animals for research is affected by the Act.  The Act applies only to vertebrate animals (mammals, birds, amphibians and fish), but does cover both native and introduced (in this instance feral) species.

Forests NSW (FNSW) qualifies as a "research" institution under the Act, as it conducts research on animals (field surveys, capture of individuals and manipulation of populations).  In 1993 Forests NSW set up its own Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) to administer these Acts as they apply to Forests NSW.  The DPI Forests NSW Animal Care and Ethics Committee (DPI FNSW ACEC) is run through Forest Resources Research Unit (FRR).  In January 2007 the NSW Department of Primary Industries renewed its accreditation as an Animal Research Establishment and the DPI Forests NSW ACEC now operates as one of multiple committees under this accreditation.

The Forests NSW Animal Care and Ethics Committee

Mr. Francis Lemckert, Senior Research Scientist, Forest Biodiversity Program, Forest Resources Research, DPI Science and Research is the current chairman (Category B) of the Committee.