LEGISLATION AND ETHICS
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UK and EU Animal Research Legislation
The Home Office web site provides practitioners with guidance on licence applications and related legislation. These pages include information on UK and EU Legislation along with Better Regulation, training, animal welfare, statistics, publications, reference and FAQs.
Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of Animals used for Experimental and other scientific purposes
In 1986 the Council adopted Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. The Directive seeks to improve the controls on the use of laboratory animals, sets minimum standards for housing and care as well as for the training of personnel handling animals and supervising the experiments. It also aims at reducing the numbers of animals used for experiments by requiring that an animal experiment should not be performed when an alternative method exists, and by encouraging the development and validation of alternative methods to replace animal methods.
Animal Welfare - Home Office
The Home Office web pages provide links to reference material relevant to the use of animals in scientific procedures, including Ethical Review Process and reduction, refinement and replacement (the 3Rs).
DEFRA - Animal Welfare Act 2006
Not only is it against the law to be cruel to an animal, you must also ensure that all the welfare needs of your animals are met. What does the Animal Welfare Act do? It makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met.
DEFRA - Animal Transport Regulations
The transport of animals to and from markets, to slaughter, and, particularly, on export journeys, is legitimately a matter of widespread public concern. The Government recognises this concern and affords a high priority to ensuring that the welfare of animals is protected during transport. We achieve this through regulations and enforcement, as well as through supervision and guidance.
NC3Rs - National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research
The NC3Rs brings together stakeholders in the 3Rs in academia, industry, government and animal welfare organisations to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas, and the translation of research findings into practice that will benefit both animals and science. The Centre funds high-quality 3Rs research, organises workshops and symposia to disseminate and advance the 3Rs, and develops 3Rs information resources and guidelines.
RSPCA
Laboratory animals are used for many different purposes in research and testing, and each area of use raises specific ethical, welfare and scientific issues. The RSPCA adopts a constructive and practical approach, judging every issue individually, critically questioning the necessity and justification for animal use and striving to reduce the conflict between animals and science wherever possible.