National Conference on Laboratory Animal Welfare

Why in News?

National Conference on laboratory Animal welfare policies & best practices was organized by Committee for Control & Supervision of Experiments on animals (CCSEA) under Dept. of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD).

• Venue - New Delhi.
• Nodal Agency – Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• CCSEA – Statutory Body Established under Section 15 (1) of the Prevention of cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act.1960
• Goal – To ensure that animals are not subject to suffering or pain before, during, or after experiments.

Functions:

• Compulsory Registration - Of establishment of Breeding or using various animals for breeding purpose.
• Institutional Animal Ethics Committees (IAEC) – Monitors every research facility.
• Approves Directly – Research protocols involving large animals (e.g primates, bovines, Canines), while IAECs Approve experiments on small animals (e.g Rodents)
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - To be stablished for the care and management of laboratory animal facilities.
• 3Rs Principle – Conference emphasized the global framework for animal research:
  • Replacement - Utilizing non-animal models (e.g., in-vitro cell cultures, computer simulations) where possible.
  • Reduction - Methods that minimize the number of animals used per study while maintaining statistical significance.
  • Refinement - Improving procedures and husbandry to enhance animal welfare and minimize distress.

Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC)

• Every registered establishment must to have IAEC.
• Composition - Includes scientists, a veterinarian, and a CCSEA Nominee (external member) to ensure impartial oversight.
• Role - Primary body responsible for local ethical review and ensuring Self-Awareness & Compliance.
• Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) - Also a statutory body under the PCA Act, 1960. It serves as an advisory body on animal welfare laws.
• Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) - Mentioned in the conference as a priority for vaccine development. India aims to control FMD to boost the dairy sector's export potential.
• DAHD- Responsible for matters related to livestock production, preservation, and protection from disease.

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