Animal Welfare Body (AWB)
An AWB must be in place in your breeder/supplier/user establishment and is responsible for the following functions:
Membership
The AWB must consist of at least:
- The person(s) responsible for the welfare and care of animals within their Breeder/Supplier/User establishment;
- A scientific member - where a breeder/supplier/user establishment is involved in the use of scientific animals.
The AWB should also receive advice from the designated veterinarian or suitably qualified expert.
The AWB may or may not be a subgroup of the breeder/supplier/user establishment’s ethics committee.
HPRA Role
We will inspect the arrangements in place for each AWB during inspection.
Further information on the duties of the AWB is available from our Guide to Preparation of a Site Master File for Breeder/Supplier/Users under Scientific Animal Protection legislation, which is available under SAP Guides and Forms.
Animal Welfare Body
An EU guide on the role of the AWB, the benefits of the AWB and the creation of the culture of care is attached. Ensuring an appropriate culture is in everyone’s interests, as it will promote improved animal welfare and subsequently, better scientific outcomes. The key factors involved in fostering an appropriate culture of care in an establishment include: