Information for investigators and teachers

1. University Registration
Since March 2002 the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, has been embeded in the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. The result of this is that the University of Queensland has had to become registered with QDPI (who administers the Act) as an Institution using animals for research and teaching.

The implications of this for researchers, lecturers and students is the possiblity of penalities/fines, jail terms and in an extreme situation deregistration of the University for breaches under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. Therefore every researcher, lecturer and student should familiarize themselves with their responsiblities in this regard to avoid possible infringment.

2. Project modifications
It is the responsibility of the Chief Investigator to ensure that any modifications to projects have been approved by the UAEC. These modifications include:
(a) changes to original personnel or any additional personnel
(b) changes in techniques or procedures
(c) additional animals/species to be used
(d) changes to commencement date of the project.

Modifications should be submitted in writing to the Animal Welfare Unit on the Modification Form available from the AWU website.

3. Animal Reuse
Please note the following section from the "Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes":
Repeated use of animals in experiments
3.3.11
Individual animals must not be used in more than one experiment either in the same or different projects, without the express approval of the AEC. However appropriate re-use of animals may reduce the total number of animals used in a project, result in better experimental design, and reduce stress or avoid pain to other animals."

If investigators wish to reuse animals, approval must be requested in writing through the Animal Welfare Unit.

4. Annual renewal of projects
Animal Ethics Approval is granted for a maximum of three years. During this period, investigators must ensure that their yearly reporting requirements are met (Biosecurity - QDPI) so as to ensure continuous ethics approval.  Should an investigator not complete their yearly Biosecurity - QDPI report, then approval will be withdrawn.

Investigators will be notified each year in January/February to complete their QDPI reports.

In order to take into account changes in project direction or curriculum content which may occur over a three year period, the project or teaching class must be resubmitted in full, using the current Animal Application Form, (Research or Teaching) in the fourth year of the project. At this time, approval can be requested for an additional three year period if required.

It is the responsibility of investigators to ensure that their ethical clearances are current.

5. Reporting of Untoward Events
If any untoward events, unexpected illness or injury, or adverse side effects, including death, occur during a project, these events should be reported to the AEC via the Animal Welfare Unit. In the case of unexpected deaths a post mortem should be performed as required in Section 3.3.25 of the "Australian Code of Practice".

6. Animal Overusage
"It is the responsibility of the Chief Investigator to ensure that any modifications to projects have been approved by the UAEC."

This also includes any changes made to the number of animals that are to be used in a project. If it is anticipated that more animals than originally approved will be required, then the Chief Investigator should seek approval from the AEC via the Animal Welfare Unit, before ordering more animals. If less are required then this can be notified to the AEC when annual renewals are submitted to the Animal Welfare Unit and details of actual numbers used are provided. It is vital that all investigators remain within the limits of their approved protocol in compliance with the "Australian Code of Practice".

7. Labelling of cages and pens
It is important to ensure that all animals used for scientific purposes are appropriately identified. This ensures compliance with the "Australian Code of Practice" and enables investigators responsible for animals to be contacted when necessary, particularly in an emergency.

All cages or pens of animals must be labelled with the following information: AEC number, Investigator's name and contact number and expiry date of approval and any other relevant information.

As many investigators are aware, AQIS requires specific records to be kept of animal holdings, movement and disposal of animals if their use involves imported biological substances. This can be achieved by means of movement logs in animal houses.

8. Completion of Projects
In accordance with Section 3.1.10 of the "Australian Code of Practice" - Investigators must inform the AEC when each project is completed or discontinued. This information must be conveyed to the UAEC via the Animal Welfare Unit with details of animal usage.

9. Animal Usage
As you are aware the Animal Welfare Unit has been collecting statistics on the numbers of animals used for scientific purposes for a number of years as a requirement under the Australian Code of Practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes(Section 2.2.26).

Investigators may find that the Animal Usage Calendar provided with the Approval Certificate will be of some use to them for recording purposes and also to remind them when projects require renewing. The form should be returned to the Animal Welfare Unit when it has been completed i.e. at the end of the 12 month period (or earlier if the project has finished during that time). This will also be the time at which the ethical clearance expires and so a renewal for ethical clearance should be sought at the same time.

The Animal Welfare Unit appreciates that the Animal Usage Calendar may not be suitable for all projects. You are invited to alter it as necessary, but please ensure that the modified form does provide, as a minimum, the total number of animals used in the previous 12 month period together with the AEC approval number, project title and name of the Chief Investigator.

The use of the Animal Usage Calendar is not compulsory at this time.