15 July 2004 NZ's Animal Experiments Well Safe-Guarded Ethically says Lincoln Head

There can be no "secret vivisection experiments" at Lincoln University, says Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Field, answering accusations today from the National Anti-Vivisection Campaign.

"The use of animal species in New Zealand for scientific and commercial research, testing and teaching is regulated by Act of Parliament, the Animal Welfare Act 1999. This Act provides for the approval of such work but requires organisations involved to hold and abide by nationally approved Codes of Ethical Conduct," says Professor Field.

"The Act also provides legal protection for the welfare of animals.

"A statutory committee exists – the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee – its functions and membership set in law – to review Codes of Ethical Conduct and advise the Minister of Agriculture on ethical and animal welfare issues arising from research, testing and teaching.

"This national committee also has the function of making recommendations about the approval, amendment, suspension or revocation of Codes of Ethical Conduct.

"The committee is made up of lay, scientific, commercial, educational, legal and other representatives.

"The Animal Welfare Act requires all applicants for Codes of Ethical Conduct to establish Animal Ethics Committees and formulate individual Codes of Ethical Conduct," says Professor Field.

"Lincoln University's Animal Ethics Committee ensures that all research and teaching at the University is conducted in accordance with the Lincoln University Code of Ethical Conduct for the use of animals. The committee has among its members an external representative nominated by the Veterinary Association of New Zealand and also an external member to represent animal welfare issues.

"Lincoln University's Code of Ethical Conduct for the use of animals states that no member of staff or any student can use animals for teaching or research without the prior approval of the committee. Approval for the use of animals in teaching or research will only be granted when the committee is satisfied that the proposed use of animals will comply with the code. All experiments are reported to the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee.

"The Animal Welfare Act 1999 requires all Code of Ethical Conduct holders to undergo independent reviews.

"The use of animals in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand is therefore regulated publicly, by Act of Parliament, and scrutinised publicly by a statutory committee, the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee," says Professor Field.

"There can be no 'secrecy' or 'secret vivisection experiments'. No unapproved work can be undertaken. To suggest otherwise is nonsense.

"In the latest Annual Report of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee released today (15 July 2004) there are 96 organisations listed as operating with an Approved Code of Ethical Conduct or a Notified Arrangement to Use an Approved Code.

"These organisations include schools, universities, polytechnics, Government departments, commercial businesses, Crown Research Institutes and other bodies.

"Many of those organisations are in Canterbury. To single out Lincoln University for criticism is quite unjustified."