Animal Ethics Committee
Terms of Reference
The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is a Committee of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, (Research and Innovation), as the Delegate of Council. The Committee has been formed in line with the requirements of the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’ (the Code) and the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act’ 1986 (the Act).
1. Purpose
To advise the Vice-Chancellor and Council, through the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) on all matters concerning Animal Ethics and to approve and oversee all animal use for teaching and research as required by the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act’ 1986.
2. Functions
(a) To disseminate and oversee an appropriate code of practice for the use of animals for teaching and research within the University. This shall include the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’.
(b) To monitor procedures adopted within the University and to ensure compliance with procedures laid down by any relevant Acts of Parliament.
(c) In discharging these responsibilities the Committee will:
(i) ensure that the use of animals for teaching and research is carried out only by those sections of the University holding a current Scientific Procedures Premises Licence;
(ii) ensure that staff performing or supervising the use of animals for teaching and research are appropriately qualified, are approved by the AEC, and that relevant legislative and regulatory requirements are adhered to;
(iii) maintain a register of approved animal ethics proposals, including a description of experimentation techniques, the names of research personnel and the outcomes of the Committee’s deliberations;
(iv) monitor the acquisition, transport, production, housing care, use and disposal of animals within the University, to ensure that the standards of care and use, and considerations given to the welfare of animals conform with the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’;
(v) ensure that investigators or RMIT University maintain, by appropriate means, adequate records related to animal experimentation;
(vi) examine and approve or reject written proposals for the use of animals in experiments and approve only those experiments for which animals are essential and which conform to the requirements of the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’, taking into consideration ethical and animal welfare aspects as well as the scientific, educational and community value of such proposals;
(vii) provide evidence of AEC approval of projects where required by granting authorities;
(viii) recommend to the University any measures needed to ensure that the standards of the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes” are maintained;
(ix) examine and comment on all University plans and policies which may affect animal welfare;
(x) perform all the duties required by the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’;
(xi) withdraw approval for any project and authorise the emergency treatment or humane killing of any animal;
(xii) encourage the use of alternatives to animal experimentation wherever possible;
(xiii) develop guidelines to ensure that the requirements of the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’ are met;
(xiv) adopt grievance procedures to resolve issues arising between applicants and the Committee;
(xv) review annually, or as necessary, the Terms of Reference;
(xvi) approve guidelines for the care of animals that are bred, held or used for scientific purposes on behalf of the University;
(xvii) require that all members declare conflicts of interest;
(xviii) deal with situations in which a conflict of interest arises;
(xviv) ensure that any detected non-compliant activities cease immediately
and that remedial action is initiated.
3. Reporting
The Committee shall report, in writing, at least annually to Council, through the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), and to the nominated persons of those sections of the University holding a Scientific Procedures Premises Licence, on its activities including:
(a) the numbers and types of projects approved;
(b) the physical facilities for the care and use of animals within the University;
(c) any difficulties being experienced by the Committee;
(d) requirements for training staff and students;
(e) its current membership;
(f) details of any breaches of the Act and the Code.
4. Membership
(a) Composition of Committee
(i) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) or nominee who shall be Chair.
(ii) At least one person nominated by the Committee, and approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals, who is not employed by or otherwise associated with the University, and who is not involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Veterinarians with specific animal welfare interest and experience may meet the requirements of this Category. While not representing an animal welfare organisation, the person should, where possible, be selected on the basis of active membership of, and nomination by, such an organisation. (CATEGORY C)
(iii) At least one person who is both independent of the University and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their under-graduate education, to be approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) in consultation with the Committee. (CATEGORY D members should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the AEC, and must not fit the requirements of any other Category.)
(iv) At least one suitably qualified person with substantial recent experience in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities from each of the sections of the University holding a Scientific Procedures Premises Licence, to be proposed by the Nominated Person(s), and approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). (CATEGORY B)
(vi) At least one person, with qualifications in veterinary science and with experience relevant to the activities of the institution to be approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). (Veterinarians who lack this experience must familiarise themselves with the biology and clinical characteristics of the species of animals used.) (CATEGORY A)
(vii) The combined membership of categories C and D must not be less than one third of the total membership of the Committee at any meeting. (viii) One student, with observer only status, to be nominated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, (Research and Innovation), from each section of the University holding a Scientific Procedures Premises Licence.
(b) Term of Office
(i) Appointments will be for three years and thereafter reviewed annually at the last meeting of the year.
5. Practices and procedures
(a) Items for the agenda must be received by the Executive Officer at least ten working days prior to the meeting.
(b) New proposals are normally approved for a maximum of three years from the
date of approval.
(c) New proposals and modifications, reports and renewals of existing proposals must be considered and approved only at a quorate meeting of the Committee.
(d) Minor amendments to existing projects requiring urgent consideration between meetings may be approved after effective consultation (via email or teleconference) with all members of the Committee. Such approval would then be reviewed at the next quorate meeting. Approval by this process would require agreement from at least one member from each category and all members would have to be invited to participate. If any member was unable to participate but felt that their involvement was crucial, the approval could be delayed until the next quorate meeting at their request.
(e) Modifications to existing projects requiring the urgent addition of staff or extensions of time may be approved until the next quorate meeting after effective consultation by a Committee executive consisting of the chairperson, the secretary, a Category C or D member and the RMIT Animal Facility manager.
(f) A quorum for a meeting of the Committee will consist of:
(i) A member meeting the requirements of Category A of the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’;
(ii) A member meeting the requirements of Category B of the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’;
(iii) A member meeting the requirements of Category C of the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’;
(iv) A member meeting the requirements of Category D of the ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes’;
(g) Minutes shall be kept of all meetings and circulated to the members of the Committee, Nominated Persons of sections holding Scientific Procedures Premises Licences and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
(h) In the absence of the Chair, the meeting will elect an acting Chair.
6. Meeting procedures
(a) The Committee shall meet as required, and not less than four times a year.
(b) Seven working days notice, in writing, will be given of a forthcoming meeting. Such notice will include the time, place, agenda and papers for the meeting.
(c) Decisions shall be made by consensus.
(d) It will be the responsibility of the Chair to ensure that at any meeting the number of Category C and D members combined shall not be less than one third of those present excluding the Executive Officer.
(e) All members are required to declare any conflict of interest at the beginning of each meeting.
7. Administration
The committee shall be administered by an appropriately qualified executive officer appointed by and reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation.