Animal Use in Research and Teaching Policy

Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) – A Ministry of Primary Industries-approved statutory body under the Animal Welfare Act that enforces Section 6 – Ethical Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Teaching. The AEC reviews, approves, and monitors Animal Use Protocols (AUPs) to ensure compliance. 

ANZCCART - The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching is an independent body addressing the scientific, ethical, and social issues of animal use in research and teaching. 

 AUP - An animal use protocol (AUP) is a detailed description of how laboratory animals will be used in research, teaching, or public events. 

 AWA - Animal Welfare Act 

Manipulation - Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, manipulation refers to any action affecting an animal’s physiology, behaviour, or anatomy, such as surgery, injections, or environmental changes. All manipulations must be justified, approved, and conducted with measures to minimise suffering.

Openness Agreement - ANZCCART’s Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching promotes transparency and accountability in animal use. As a signatory, Otago Polytechnic is committed to open communication, regulatory compliance, and applying the Three Rs. Refer to Otago Polytechnic’s Animal Use in Research and Teaching for more details. 

Otago University Parenting Agreement - Since Otago Polytechnic does not have its own Ministry of Primary Industries-approved Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), it operates under a parenting arrangement with Otago University’s AEC, which reviews and approves all animal research and teaching to ensure compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999. 

Principal Investigator - A Principal Investigator (PI) is the person responsible for overseeing a research study or educational programme of study involving animals. They ensure all activities comply with ethical and legal requirements, manage its design and execution, and are accountable for all key decisions. The PI is primarily responsible for all work undertaken under approval of the AEC including compliance of all personnel on the approval and the reporting of animals and numbers, adverse events, and adherence to any Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 

Three Rs (3Rs) – Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement Guide to Ethical Animal Use in Research and Teaching. Replacement promotes alternatives, Reduction minimizes animal use while maintaining scientific integrity, and Refinement enhances welfare and reduces suffering. 

1. This policy applies to: 

2. Using animals in research and teaching is a privilege. Otago Polytechnic is committed to upholding and improving animal welfare standards in all research and teaching activities involving animals. 

3. All use of animals must comply with: 

3.1. All applicable legislation, including the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and any other relevant regulations and amendments. 

3.2. The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) Openness Agreement. 

3.3. Otago Polytechnic policies and ethical requirements.  

3.4. The approval process managed by the Animals@OP Committee, which oversees all animal use at Otago Polytechnic. 

4. Regulatory and Ethical Obligations  

4.1. Regulatory obligations apply specifically to the use of animals in research and teaching activities, as defined under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.  The Otago Polytechnic Dogs on Campus Policy covers all other situations. 

4.2. Any research or teaching activity involving animals must be approved through an AUP and must have AEC approval prior to commencing research or teaching involving animals. 

4.3. All research and teaching must apply the Three Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) as defined by the Ministry for Primary Industries. 

4.4. Kaimahi and ākonga must always ensure the welfare and ethical use of all animals approved for research and teaching and uphold contemporary welfare science principles to recognise and respond to the affective and behavioural needs of sentient animals.  

4.5. As a signatory to the ANZCCART Openness Agreement, Otago Polytechnic requires transparent, ethical, and accountable communication regarding animals used in research and teaching.