In its response to the report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures, published on 24 July, the Government noted in January 2003 that “visits to other facilities by Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers and Named Veterinary Surgeons may help to spread best practice”. LASA agrees with this view and has received very generous support from Pfizer Ltd, which will enable the introduction of a scheme to satisfy this aspiration. Initially the scheme will offer opportunities principally for Named Persons, their deputies and others concerned with the routine care and welfare of animals intended for and used for scientific purposes. The scheme is intended to provide a mechanism for the identification and dissemination of technical refinements, improvements in experimental design and enhancement of husbandry procedures which promote the refinement of animal use, care and husbandry. It is effective from the beginning of the year 2004

The scheme is designed to facilitate visits between establishments within UK and only in exceptional circumstances which must be well justified, would funds be made available where the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act, 1986 is not the principal regulatory legislation.

The purpose of such visits shall be to promote the refinement of animal use and care and support shall be conditional on grant recipients submitting a brief report identifying good practices observed and agreeing to share these with others, without reference to individuals or establishments (generally placed on LASA’s web-site). Recipients must also undertake to implement good practices wherever practicable.

The Scheme
The scheme will be overseen by a Steering Committee, which will review its terms of reference at least annually.

Applications for awards should be submitted to the LASA secretariat, from whom details and forms are available. Electronic submission is preferred in the first instance, although hard copy incorporating signatures of the applicant, the holder of his/her Certificate of Designation and the holder of the Certificate of Designation of the establishment to be visited, must also be provided. The Steering Committee shall determine whether applications meet the required criteria and will review applications on a basis of due diligence; its decision shall be final.

The maximum sum which will be awarded shall be £500, but in each case the applicant shall provide a sufficient breakdown of the anticipated costs, in order to allow the Steering Committee to determine the appropriateness of the application. It is expected that public transport will be used wherever practicable and travel by plane and train will be reimbursed for economy/budget fares and standard class/Saver tickets respectively. In other cases a mileage rate determined by LASA Council shall apply.

If any doubts remain as to what expenditures are eligible for reimbursement, please contact the Secretariat in advance.

Reimbursement of Expenses
Following the visit, the applicant should provide the Secretariat with an outline of expenses for which a refund is sought. The Steering Committee will not normally agree to the allocation of funds additional to those requested at the time of the application. Any additional expenditure must be carefully identified and justified. Reasonable claims for subsistence and accommodation will be met but receipts must be produced for each expenditure.

To download an application form click here

Facilities receiving visitors are ineligible to claim expenses.

For more information contact: LASA Secretariat: 01827 259 130