IACUC.org is now IACUC Central, a comprehensive repository for all things IACUC. IACUC Central is a valuable resource for institutional animal care and use committee members and staff. Updated quarterly, IACUC Central organizes information into pages containing links to governmental agencies, databases, examples of institutional websites, training resources, and more.
NEWS
ILAR
The Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) of the National Academy of Sciences will be developing a new Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide).
OLAW
Continuing to Apply PHS Policy to Zebrafish after Hatching
In response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW is seeking input on clarifying flexibilities available to Assured institutions when using zebrafish in animal activities and so have published a new Guide Notice, NOT-OD-21-118. Comments must be submitted electronically on the RFI webpage on or before August 9th, 2021, at 11:59 PM ET.
New FAQs Page
Links to FAQs on PHS Policy, the Vertebrate Animals Section, and COVID-19 on one page!
OLAW is excited to announce the launch of a new website dedicated to the 21st Century Cures Act (21 CCA) action items.
The webinar recording and resources for "21st Century Cures Act - Update on Implementation" are also available. NIH, USDA, and FDA provided updates on the agencies' progress in implementing the recommended measures of the 21st Century Cures Act. A report (2019) detailed the agencies' plans to comply with the Act.
The new AVMA euthanasia guidelines were expected to be fully implemented after October 1, 2020.
USDA APHIS
APHIS Removes Guideline on Self-Reporting from Animal Welfare Act Inspection Guide, 02/12/2021
On December 15, 2017, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) posted the Tech Note "Incentives for Identifying, Reporting, Correcting, and Preventing Noncompliance with the Animal Welfare Act." The Tech Note described an incentive program that recognized licensees and registrants who routinely monitored their activities and took appropriate and timely action to address noncompliant items.
APHIS' Animal Care program is rescinding this guideline, and the Tech Note on incentives (which was updated in May 2018), as it is no longer representative of the current agency policy for documenting Animal Welfare Act non-compliances. Animal Care has removed the Incentives Tech Note from its website; removed the Self-Reporting section from the Inspection Guide and updated its inspector training materials to reflect the Inspection Guide changes.
Animal Welfare Act Standards for Birds, 11/9/2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has initiated a process to develop Animal Welfare Act standards for birds not bred for use in research to ensure their humane care and treatment. As a first step, APHIS' Animal Care program hosted 3 virtual, public listening sessions and accepted comments via Regulations.gov to obtain input from stakeholders.
AWA Research Facility Registration Updates, Reviews, and Reports
APHIS proposed a rule change (PDF) to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations governing research facilities.
Input on a Policy on Free-living Wild Species in Their Natural Habitat
APHIS sought public comment on a proposed policy document, "Research Involving Free-living Wild Species In Their Natural Habitat," to assist research institutions in determining whether an activity involving free-living wild animals in their natural habitat meets the regulatory definition of "field study." The proposed policy would describe criteria that research facilities could use to identify activities that are invasive, harmful, or that materially alter animal behavior. The deadline was October 12, 2020.
On September 15, 2020 all USDA-registered facilities received their Annual Report packet electronically, including all the applicable reporting forms and information. More info.
Tech Note July 2020 (PDF)
New requirement for Veterinary Care Standards for Dogs: "...written formal arrangements must be made and signed by the Attending Veterinarian that includes the following; regularly scheduled annual visits, complete physical annual exams of each dog by the Attending Veterinarian ..." The AV must conduct these annual health assessments; these responsibilities may not be delegated to another veterinarian or designee.
An updated Public Search Tool providing access to AWA compliance records launched September 21, 2020.
Virtual Listening Sessions Seeking Public Input on Regulations Regarding The Welfare Of Birds Not Bred For Use In Research
Three virtual listening sessions were held to gather information to assist in the development of regulations consistent with the AWA. Written transcripts are available.
Standard Operating Procedures for Resuming Facility Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Effective July 20, 2020
Changes to Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements
New and improved online Annual Reporting system for research facilities.
2019 Highlights: Animal Welfare Impact (PDF)
Conferences
PRIM&R - Annual Conference
- November 14–18, 2022; Salt Lake City, UT
Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) - SCAW Winter Conference - Sessions will provide key findings and advances in research animal welfare, explore policy and management issues related to IACUCs, and develop awareness of humane care and use of agricultural animals in research.
- December 6–7, 2021; San Antonio, Texas
- December 5–6, 2022; San Antonio, Texas
Workshops
Interagency Collaborative Animal Research Education (ICARE) Project
- ICARE Dialogues - "Optimizing Animal Care and Use Program Success in a Changing Environment" - Free virtual sessions for IACUC members, staff, and institutional animal program personnel on meeting responsibilities for animal welfare oversight
- ICARE Project - Training Modules
Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW):
- IACUC Training Workshop; NIH Natcher Conference Center; Bethesda, MD; September 16, 2021
- Virtual Institutional Official Training Webinar; November 16, 2021
USDA: Animal Welfare Information Center - Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act
- October 6 and 7, 2021
- National Agricultural Library
Beltsville, MD
