RE04: Use of Animals in Research, Teaching and Other Activities

Policy #:
RE04
Responsible Authority:
Dean, Academic Development
Approval Authority:
President's Executive Committee
Executive Sponsor:
Vice President, Academic
Approval Date:
2005/02/23
Last Reviewed:
2011/02/23
Mandatory Revision Date:
2016/02/23
Downloadable Version:
Use of Animals in Research, Teaching and Other Activities

PURPOSE

To identify the standards to be respected when conducting research, teaching, promotion or other activities which involve animals.

SCOPE

All College personnel, including students, who use animals in research, teaching, promotion or College sanctioned activities which include the use of animals for general public education.

DEFINITIONS

Word/Term

Definition

Animal

Any vertebrates and certain invertebrates, in particular cephalopods.

ACC

Animal Care Committee

AUPF

Animal Use Protocol Form

CCAC

Canadian Council on Animal Care

College Personnel 

Includes college researchers, staff and students and any person using College facilities for the purpose of research, teaching, promotion or  other activities

OMAFRA

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

POLICY

  1. Algonquin College is committed to the highest ethical standards in projects involving the use of animals in research, teaching, promotion or other activities.
  2. The College shall be compliant with:
    o  The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Animals for Research Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario. (R.R.O.) 1990 Chapter A.22.
    o  The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) which is the national body overseeing the use of animals in teaching and research in Canadian institutions.
  3. As an institution that conducts research, teaching or testing on animals, the College shall maintain the Good Animal Practice (GAP) Certificate awarded by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC).  The certificate is awarded to those institutions that participate fully in the programs of the CCAC; have been assessed by expert panels composed of scientists, veterinarians and community representatives; and have been found by the panel and by the CCAC Assessment Committee to have standards of experimental animal care and use which satisfy the CCAC’s guidelines and policies.
  4. The College shall have a local Animal Care Committee (ACC) that operates according to the CCAC Policy Statement on: Terms of Reference for Animal Care Committees.  Funded research by the Tri-Counsel (NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR) can only release funds to investigators when their protocol for animal use as documented on their Animal Use Protocol Form (AUPF) has been approved by the ACC.
  5. As a research institution that uses animals in its work, Algonquin College shall register with OMAFRA as stipulated in the Animals for Research Act previously cited .

    6. 

 PROCEDURE

 These are the steps to follow when undertaking any proposed research, teaching, promotion or other activities involving animals.



Action


 Responsibility                       

1.

Contact the Animal Care Committee (ACC) veterinarian to initiate the approval process and obtain the Animal Use Protocol Form (AUPF). 


Researchers, staff and/or students

2.

Confirm the date of the next ACC meeting with the veterinarian (or delegate) to ensure the Animal Use Protocol Form (AUPF) is submitted in time for the next meeting.


 Researchers, staff and/or students

3.

Complete ALL sections of the AUPF and submit to the ACC veterinarian. The signatures on the form confirm that the applicants are responsible for all activities as outlined in the AUPF.


Researchers, staff and/or students

4.

Review the AUPF at its next meeting and confirm the approval, conditional approval or non-approval of the request.  Should the AUPF not be approved, provide recommendations to the applicants for change to the AUPF in order to obtain approval.


 ACC

5.

Remind the AUPF applicants to submit an annual renewal form in each of the next three-years, after which time an AUPF must be resubmitted. 


 ACC veterinarian (or delegate)

6.

Recommend to the President that he signs a grant application or releases funds to College personnel with a commitment they will adhere to pertinent guidelines or regulations.


Director, Applied Research and Innovation

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
None

RELATED POLICIES
HS 01                College Occupational Health and Safety System
HS 05               Accident Reporting and Investigatio
HS 09               First Aid
RE 01               Research Administration
RE 06               Use of Biohazardous and Radioactive Materials in Research and Education

RELATED MATERIALS

 The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines, policies and associated documents

 Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals

Public Health Agency of Canada, Laboratory Bio-Safety Guidelines, 3rd Edition 2004.

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, (OMAFRA) Animals for Research Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario. (R.S.O.) 1990 Chapter A.22

  

 





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