My HPRA: Register

Animal Welfare Body (AWB) 

An AWB must be in place in your breeder/supplier/user establishment and is responsible for the following functions:

 
Advising scientists and staff dealing with animals on matters related to animal welfare; the application of the 3Rs (Reduction, Replacement, Refinement); rehoming schemes;
 
Ensuring best practice is in place in order to maximise the welfare of animals
 
Monitoring the development and outcome of projects to identify/advise where further contributions to the 3Rs could be made;
 
Facilitating programmes for the sharing of organs and tissues of euthanised animals;
 
Providing the HPRA with records (on request) of any advice provided to scientists or staff and the decisions taken based on that advice.

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:

 
Attitude: Animals are sentient beings, and individuals must accept responsibility for ensuring optimal standards of animal welfare. All key personnel must have an appropriate behaviour and attitude towards animal research.
 
Establishment support: Appropriate facilities and systems must be in place to ensure that optimal animal welfare standards are maintained.
 
Shared responsibility: Those in managerial positions and designated roles have a responsibility to ensure that individuals exercise their responsibilities towards animal welfare correctly.
 
Proactive approach: Taking a proactive approach to improving standards, rather than reacting to problems as they arise.
 
Compliance: The importance of compliance with the legislation should be understood and effected.
 
Empowerment: Training officers, animal care staff, veterinarians and compliance officers should be respected, listened to and supported.
 
Communication: People’s voices and concerns should be listened to and dealt with positively. All personnel should be encouraged to raise issues of concern. Positive interaction and communication between researchers and animal care staff should be encouraged.>
 
Monitoring developments on the ground: The AWB has a key role in the care and husbandry of animals as well as in the design, conduct and development of projects and in ensuring that the personnel involved know what is expected of them.