DAOD 8014-1, Management of Animal Use in Research, Teaching and Testing

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition
3. Administration
4. Consequences
5. Responsibilities
6. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2012-08-17

Date of Last Modification: 2014-12-19

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Supersession: NDHQ Instruction ADM(Mat) 4/89, DND Policy – Animal Use in Research and Development

Approval Authority: Assistant Deputy Minister (Science and Technology) (ADM(S&T))

Enquiries: Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

2. Definition

animal care committee (comité de protection des animaux)

A committee that is constituted and governed according to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) policy statement: Terms of Reference for Animal Care Committees. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 48226)

3. Administration

Context

3.1 For contextual information in respect of animal use in research, teaching and testing, see section 3 of DAOD 8014-0, Animal Use in Research, Teaching and Testing.

General

3.2 Heads of DND organizations and commanding officers of CAF units that use animals in research, teaching or testing activities are responsible for ensuring that:

1. the animals are only used when the best efforts of the researcher to find a suitable alternative have failed;
2. the most humane methods of research, teaching or testing are employed on the smallest number of appropriate animals required to obtain valid information;
3. an animal care committee (ACC) is established and maintained, or the services of an ACC of another DND organization or CAF unit, such as a DRDC centre, are used;
4. written animal use protocols for the research, teaching or testing and standard operating procedures to facilitate the work of protocol authors and ACC members, are developed;
5. animal use protocols are regularly reviewed to reduce, refine and replace animals whenever possible; and
6. their facilities are open for inspection by an assessment panel of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC).

3.3 When an external agency is contracted by or collaborates with the DND and the CAF to conduct such research, teaching or testing activities, a separate agreement is drafted to ensure the agency complies with the applicable provisions of the DAOD 8014 series (see paragraph 3.5 of this DAOD).

Conditions for the Use of Animals

3.4 The DND and the CAF may use animals in research, teaching and testing only if such use promises to contribute to the:

1. understanding of environmental principles or issues;
2. understanding of fundamental biological principles;
3. development of knowledge that can reasonably be expected to benefit humans, animals or the environment; or
4. education of DND employees, CAF members and other trainees undergoing occupation training.

Note – See the CCAC Web site for more information.

Use of Animals Under Contractual Agreements

3.5 DND employees or CAF members responsible for arranging contracts under which animals are to be used for research, teaching and testing must ensure that the work:

1. is done under the guidance and oversight of an ACC;
2. strictly complies with all policies and guidelines of the CCAC; and
3. is performed at an institution that holds a CCAC Certificate of GAP – Good Animal Practice®.

3.6 If the contracted work is performed outside of Canada, the contract authority must ensure that the work is done in a facility and under animal use protocols that meet or exceed the standards set out in the policies and guidelines of the CCAC.

CCAC Representative

3.7 DRDC provides a representative to be a member of the CCAC if:

1. any research, teaching or testing activities involving the use of animals are carried out by the DND or the CAF; and
2. the CCAC requests a representative from DRDC.

4. Consequences

Consequences of Non-Compliance

4.1 Non-compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for both the DND and the CAF as institutions, and for DND employees and CAF members as individuals. Suspected non-compliance will be investigated. The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from actual non-compliance will be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance.

Note – In respect of the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

5. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

5.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• DAOD 8014-0, Animal Use in Research, Teaching and Testing

Other Reference

• Canadian Council on Animal Care Web site