Three Rs programme promoting humane science

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Animal use in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand is comprehensively regulated – it must be approved by animal ethics committees, and these committees in turn must act according to a code of ethical conduct. Codes are approved by MAF after consultation with the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) and are subject to regular reviews. Also, all animal users must return statistics each year to provide a public record of the numbers and types of animals used and the severity of the procedures they were used for.

Above and beyond these measures, there are several initiatives and organisations involved in improving animal welfare in research, testing and teaching. These each have different roles.

ANZCCART

ANZCCART, the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching, promotes the responsible use of animals in research and teaching, and fosters informed discussion and debate within the community.

NAEAC

NAEAC, the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee, provides independent, expert advice to the Minister of Agriculture on policy and practices relating to the use of animals in research, testing and teaching. The committee supports animal ethics committees in their work and it, too, promotes excellence in animal use in research, testing and teaching. One way it does this is through the annual 'Three Rs Award', which recognises achievement in implementation of the Three Rs by an individual or organisation.

The New Zealand Three Rs Programme

The New Zealand Three Rs Programme is a more recent development. It was established to promote the Three Rs of research, testing and teaching in New Zealand. It was first proposed in 2005 and has been developed since then by the Massey University Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre (AWSBC), with support from MAF.

The programme is intended to complement other Three Rs centres throughout the world, while retaining a distinct New Zealand emphasis. Professor David Mellor is Director of the AWSBC and co-founder of the Three Rs Programme.

"Uniquely, the New Zealand Three Rs Programme integrates scientific, scholarly, bioethical, regulatory, advisory and policy dimensions of the Three Rs with national and international applications. It will reinforce the deserved recognition New Zealand enjoys in this arena internationally," he says.

While the programme is physically based at Massey University, it is, in reality, a 'virtual' organisation with representatives from throughout New Zealand and international links.

Professor Mellor stresses, "The New Zealand Three Rs Programme is a national entity, open to all with an interest in quality Three Rs research and scholarship."

The programme's first project is an examination of the activity that is intended to replace, reduce and refine animal use, and that occurs before an application for research, testing or teaching is even seen by an animal ethics committee.

In 2007, Professor Mellor will be working with key stakeholders to secure further funding to achieve its aims and sponsor research into the Three Rs, and to identify further collaborators in New Zealand and elsewhere. Estendart, a Massey-based contract research company, is first off the blocks to provide some financial support for the programme.

Other upcoming developments from the programme include:

  • a new website with links to New Zealand sources for information to 'lift your game'
  • an email discussion group
  • a searchable database on alternatives available in New Zealand
  • workshops and visiting speakers
  • best practice advice and model policies
  • funding for research into replacement, reduction and refinement.

Watch this space!

For more information about ANZCCART

For more information about NAEAC

The Three Rs

  • Replacement - replace the use of animals in research, testing and teaching with non-animal alternatives, or use less sentient animals or animal tissue.
  • Reduction - if you must use animals, reduce the number needed to the minimum required to still achieve a meaningful result.
  • Refinement - in your use of animals, refine practices to minimise suffering (eg. use appropriate pain relief; euthanase when pain or distress is evident).

What does the New Zealand Three Rs Programme do?

The programme has four goals:

  1. Profile New Zealand's Three Rs contributions
  2. Promote understanding, application and development of the Three Rs
  3. Network and liaise with other Three Rs centres internationally
  4. Critically assess Three Rs developments in New Zealand and elsewhere

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Page last updated: 6 July 2010