Criteria for assessment of animal ethics committee membership

1. Introduction

In considering applications for accreditation and animal supply licences, and during inspections of accredited animal research establishments and animal supply units, the Animal Research Review Panel (ARRP) assesses the membership of Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) to ensure that they are of adequate composition and size. In making these assessments, the ARRP recognises that ensuring AECs have the required membership is only one factor in creating effective AECs. Factors such as effective Chairmanship, interaction of AEC members and institution support for the AEC, play equally important parts in enabling AECs to fulfil their roles under the legislation.

A properly constituted and effectively functioning AEC is an essential component in the process by which accredited animal research establishments and animal supply units implement the principles that underlie both the Animal Research Act 1985 and the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

The requirements for AEC membership are set out in Clauses 2.2.2 to 2.2.9 of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

The ARRP evaluates overall membership of the AEC to ensure that:

• the committee has the expertise and diversity to enable it properly to assess research proposals and to make informed decisions
• animal welfare and community perspectives are adequately represented
• the balance of membership is satisfactory
• there is a separate member for each of the Categories A to D and that members are not appointed to more than one Category.

The balance of membership that will be required is that contained in Clause 2.2.7 of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes:

‘If the committee has more than four members, Categories C plus D should represent no less than one third of the members’.

2. Membership Categories

2.1 Category A (Veterinarian)

A degree in veterinary science with experience relevant to the species used and activities conducted in the accredited establishment is the chief requirement. Members without veterinary qualifications would not be considered suitable.

2.2 Category B (Researcher / Teacher)

The member must demonstrate appropriate recent research or teaching experience. This experience should be relevant to the species used and the activities conducted in the institution. This will usually entail the possession of higher degree(s) and/or details of research or teaching undertakings. A statement verifying appropriate experience will be required if there is any doubt concerning the qualification of the member.

2.3 Category C (Animal Welfare)

It is essential that people in the animal welfare category:

(a) have a demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals
(b) do not have any involvement with the institution
(c) do not have any current involvement with the care, supply or use of animals in research or teaching.

In addressing the suitability of the Category C member the following features are preferred:

(a) nomination by an animal welfare organisation
(b) active involvement in promoting animal welfare
(c) animal welfare organisation membership
(d) no previous involvement in the care, supply and use of animals for research or teaching (nominees with any such involvement would be considered only in exceptional circumstances and the institution would need to make a case for appointing such a person).

Ideally this should be a person who is an active member of an animal welfare organisation. The following are suggested for institutions seeking an animal welfare representative:

• Approach animal welfare organisations. The following may be able to assist: Animals Australia, Animal Societies Federation, Animal Welfare League (NSW), Cat Protection Society, Humane Society International, RSPCA, WIRES.
• Advertise in the local press for interested people meeting the criteria.
• Contact the Animal Welfare Branch of NSW Department of Primary Industries which maintains a list of people interested in being members of AECs.

2.4 Category D (Independent)

The Category D member must be an independent person who does not currently and has not previously conducted scientific or teaching activities using animals, and who is not an employee of the institution.

The person must not be directly or indirectly associated with the institution (for example a member of the Board of Directors or Trust of the institution).

Members who are not independent of the institution would only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

As regards the independence (of research or teaching) of this member, the institution will be asked to provide a statement to this effect, unless this has already been provided.

Conduct of research or teaching using animals will only be considered to refer to research or teaching done at a postgraduate level (ie excluding undergraduate or school involvement).

As well as being independent of animal research or teaching, Category D members should bring an 'independence of thinking' to the AEC. The members of this category will therefore be members of the community who do not have a background of biological scientific training and who can thus contribute a different perspective to the deliberations of the Committee.

The following are suggested for institutions which are seeking an independent member:

• Advertise in the local press for interested people who do not have any association with animal research.
• Contact local community groups (for example Lions Australia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Parents and Citizens Association, religious groups, Rotary).
• Contact the Animal Welfare Branch of NSW Department of Primary Industries which maintains a list of people interested in being members of AECs.

2.5 Other members

Additional members may be included on the AEC outside the above four categories.

The appointment of employees such as the animal welfare officer, animal house manager, farm manager or other animal care staff who are responsible for the daily care of animals at the accredited establishment or animal supply unit, is strongly encouraged.

If there is any doubt as to the ability of an individual that the institution wishes to appoint to its AEC to meet the criteria applying to any of the categories A to D, then she/he should be appointed outside these categories. It should be noted that the balance of membership of the AEC as required by Clause 2.2.7 of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes must be maintained.

3. Alternate members

A quorum for AEC meetings must be maintained in accordance with Clause 2.2.10(ii) of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes which requires that a quorum must include at least one member from Category A, B, C and D. It should be noted that  AEC membership should be such that absenteeism will not result in failure to reach a quorum or lack of balance within the committee.

In order to ensure that a quorum can be maintained, some institutions have appointed more than one member in each category of membership. If such a step is taken, members appointed should be full members of the AEC and attend on a regular basis. It is not sufficient to appoint "alternate" members who attend meetings when the other AEC member in their category is unavailable. This is for reasons including that the alternate members, attending only irregularly, would have insufficient knowledge of the ongoing issues being considered by the AEC.

4. Observers

There may be a need for AECs to have observers present at meetings. Observers should only be invited to attend a meeting if the AEC considers that their advice or expertise will reasonably be required by the AEC in order to carry out its functions.

The presence of observers at AEC meetings has the potential to influence the interactions of members of the AEC and thus the outcomes of AEC deliberations. Problems may arise when the observers hold influential positions within the institution or when there is a large number of observers.

In most cases observers should only attend AEC meetings on an 'as needs' basis rather than on a regular basis. Examples of exceptions to this principle would be:

• Animal care staff who, if not members of the AEC, may be required to be present at AEC meetings on a regular basis to provide information to the AEC on animal care and management;
• people providing administrative and secretarial support to the AEC.

Observers do not have voting rights and should be provided with a copy of ARRP Policy 16: Conflicts of Interest with Members of Animal Ethics Committees prior to attending a meeting.

5. Evaluation of AEC operation

Each AEC and its membership will be assessed to ensure it is of adequate composition (including balance of membership) and size. During site inspections by the ARRP, the effectiveness of the AEC will be assessed by means including examining documents such as minutes of AEC meetings and approved research applications, and observing an AEC meeting.

Animal Research Review Panel Policy 9 - 8/2002