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Animal Welfare Committee

The Animal Welfare Committee is an internal committee that monitors and further develops animal welfare in facilities that keep laboratory animals on a permanent basis. It helps to ensure that animal welfare, good scientific practice and the 3Rs principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine) are systematically taken into account not only in individual projects, but in all processes relating to breeding, husbandry, care and animal experiments.

Legal basis

In Germany, the establishment of an animal welfare committee is required by law. The Animal Welfare Experimental Animal Ordinance obliges the organiser of a facility to appoint an Animal Welfare Committee before commencing operations (Section 6 TierSchVersV). In addition, EU Directive 2010/63/EU provides for the establishment of an "Animal Welfare Body" for breeders, suppliers and users (Art. 26) and describes its minimum tasks (Art. 27).

Composition

The Animal Welfare Body is made up of people who look after the animals on a day-to-day basis and are responsible for their care, as well as - if animal experiments are carried out - members who are involved in scientific research. The work of the committee also includes expert input from veterinarians and other experts. The aim is to bring together different perspectives (animal care, veterinary medicine, science) and to develop practical, animal welfare-orientated solutions.

Tasks and working methods

The Animal Welfare Committee supports the Animal Welfare Officers and is involved in internal processes for monitoring animal welfare and animal care. It monitors the development and results of animal experiments with a view to possible effects on the animals and identifies opportunities for improvement in line with the 3Rs. He also advises and informs employees on an ongoing basis about animal welfare requirements and technical and scientific developments that can improve breeding, housing, care and procedures.

Documentation and transparency on the farm

The recommendations of the Animal Welfare Committee and the associated decisions are documented and kept for a specified period of time; they can be presented to the competent authority on request. This traceability supports a continuous improvement process and strengthens the culture of responsibility within the organisation.

Who sits on the committee?

The committee usually comprises representatives from

  • Animal care/animal husbandry (daily care and observation of the animals)
  • Science (planning and implementation of research projects)
  • Veterinary medicine or expert advice (veterinary assessment, refinement, stress management)

(The specific staffing may vary depending on the organisation)

How can you contact us?

If you have any questions about animal welfare, laboratory animal husbandry or the tasks of the Animal Welfare Committee, please contact tierschutz(at)ur.de (opens your email program).

We will be happy to take your comments on board and answer questions objectively and transparently.

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