Two Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) workshops have been held so far in 2008 by Animal Welfare and Ethics staff. Both workshops were held in May and attracted a diverse group of enthusiastic participants. One workshop, held at the Primary Industries Building, was open to participants from different institutions with the other involving participants from a single institution.

Holding a workshop specifically for your institution or region offers participants an opportunity to focus on specific AEC issues that are relevant to their situation. To foster a greater understanding of working within the AEC system and processes we encourage not only AEC members and animal ethics officers to attend but also investigators and animal care staff.

Attendance at the full-day, free training workshops assist institutions in meeting their responsibility to provide ´orientation and education of AEC members´ as per S2.1.1 (iii) of the Scientific Use Code. We strongly recommend attendance at the workshop if AEC members have never attended or have not attended a workshop in the last three to four years.

Date for next AEC training workshop - Friday 12 September 2008

The next AEC training workshop is open to participants from all institutions and will be held at the Primary Industries Building, 80 Ann Street, Brisbane on Friday 12 September 2008. To register interest in attending or holding an AEC workshop please contact jenny.burchmann@dpi.qld.gov.au of the Animal Welfare Unit.

The Queensland AEC Chairs Group (QACG) meets informally several times a year to discuss topics of mutual interest, and to liaise with regulatory authorities. The meetings rotate between various centres in Brisbane. A summary of each meeting is circulated to members, whether they can attend or not. AEC chairs or nominees wishing to join the group should contact Peter Parsons to be put in touch with the convenor.

• Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes
  Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes: The assessment and alleviation of pain and distress in research animals - These guidelines (published in A4 loose-leaf format, will be updated as required) should be read in conjunction with the 2004 NHMRC 'Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes'.

  Synopsis of publication:

  The guidelines were developed to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes and aim to minimise their experience of pain and distress. They advocate the consideration of an animal´s "whole of life" experiences, argue the potential risk to the reliability/validity of research data from unintended pain or distress, and promote the 3Rs (replacement of animal research with other types of research when possible, reduction of the number of animals used in research and refinement of research techniques to minimise pain and distress). They include strategies to identify, minimise and manage pain and distress and a series of fact sheets to provide guidance for researchers.

  The guidelines were developed, after extensive public consultation, by a working group consisting of Animal Welfare Committee members, researchers and experts from institutions on animal care authorities.

• Third edition of the model code of practice for the welfare of pigs
  The third edition of the model code of practice for the welfare of pigs was published in May 2008. The code contains information, guidelines and standards to provide minimum acceptable levels of animal welfare for pigs.

• Rabbit husbandry and care
  A new report - 'Refining rabbit care: A resource for those working with rabbits in research' - provides practical guidance on improving rabbit husbandry and is now available from the UFAW/RSPCA Rabbit Behaviour and Welfare Group.It sets out the welfare needs of the rabbit, based on current laboratory animal science and welfare literature, and explains how these needs can be fulfilled.The report is intended for animal technologists, facility managers, veterinarians and scientists. It is available free of charge from the RSPCA although donations are welcome; email rabbits@rspca.org.uk

By Malcolm France, President, ANZLAA

The Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association (ANZLAA) was formed in 2006 following an amalgamation of three organisations with a history extending back over 30 years.

The formation of ANZLAA has meant that all those professionally concerned with the care of laboratory animals in Australia and New Zealand, are represented by a single organisation. Membership therefore includes animal technicians, animal welfare officers, veterinarians and suppliers of relevant goods and services.

The annual ANZLAA conference, which this year will be held in Sydney from 3-5 September.

Local events are organised at other times including a successful student open day which introduces TAFE students to career options in the field of laboratory animal care.

A popular benefit for ANZLAA members is an email bulletin board for posting questions, job notices and news.

Further information and conference details can be found at http://www.anzlaa.org/

• AAWS International Animal Welfare Conference 31 August - 3 September 2008, Gold Coast, Queensland.
  "The Welfare of Animals - A Universal Responsibility. AAWS - the Australian Approach". Preliminary details now available and call for abstracts now open. For more information see http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare/aaws/aaws_international_animal_welfare_conference

• ANZLAA Annual Conference 3-5 September 2008, Sydney, New South Wales.

• 7th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences 31 August - 3 September 2009, Rome, Italy.
  Details will be published when available.

• 2007, Volume 20.2
  Latest ANZCCART Newsletter

• NHMRC Tracker
  A fortnightly bulletin that keeps you up-to-date with the National Health and Medical Research Council's major activities and announcements.

• NAEAC (Issue 27 - January 2008)
  Newsletter of the New Zealand´s National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee

• RSPCA´s Quarterly Update
  Animal Welfare Science Update

• Rick Symons, General Manager, Animal Welfare
  Telephone 07 3235 4810
  email rick.symons@dpi.qld.gov.au

• Janine Barrett, Acting Principal Veterinary Scientist, Animal Welfare
  Telephone 07 3239 3233
  email janine.barrett@dpi.qld.gov.au

• Karen Boundy, Acting Senior Project Officer, Animal Ethics
  Telephone 07 3239 3013
  email karen.boundy@dpi.qld.gov.au

• Jenny Burchmann, Project Officer, Animal Ethics
  Telephone 07 3225 1445
  email jenny.burchmann@dpi.qld.gov.au

• Nevan Janetzki, Senior Project Officer, Animal Welfare
  Nevan is taking the opportunity to work as part of a new team developing legislation for Biosecurity Queensland. Bronwyn Williams is acting in this position and may be contacted on Telephone 07 3235 4315.
  email nevan.janetzki@dpi.qld.gov.au or email bronwyn.williams@dpi.qld.gov.au

• Bronwyn Williams, Acting Senior Project Officer, Animal Welfare
  Telephone 07 3235 4315
  email bronwyn.williams@dpi.qld.gov.au

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the production of this newsletter.

Please forward suggestions for articles or bring up any relevant issues that you would like to see in future editions, we would love to hear your ideas. Please contact Karen Boundy on Telephone 07 3239 3013 or email karen.boundy@dpi.qld.gov.au