EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This policy establishes a framework to ensure that the treatment and handling of all Animals used in teaching and research at Simon Fraser University is performed to the highest standards of animal ethics and care, to minimize the use of Animals in teaching and research wherever possible, and to address the requirements of the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0     PURPOSE
2.0     SCOPE AND JURISDICTION
3.0     DEFINITIONS
4.0     POLICY
5.0     ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
6.0     RELATED LEGAL, POLICY AUTHORITIES AND AGREEMENTS
7.0     ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY
8.0     RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS
9.0     POLICY REVIEW
10.0   POLICY AUTHORITY
11.0   INTERPRETATION
12.0   PROCEDURES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS

1.0     PURPOSE

1.1     To ensure the ethical and humane treatment and handling of all animals used in teaching and research under the auspices of Simon Fraser University (“SFU”) and to facilitate research and teaching projects with animals in compliance with the guidelines and policies of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (“CCAC”) and SFU.
 

2.0     SCOPE AND JURISDICTION

2.1     This policy applies to all research and teaching involving Animals that is undertaken under the auspices of SFU and/or using the resources of SFU. All projects must have an SFU faculty member (or equivalent) as Principal Investigator (“PI”).
 

3.0     DEFINITIONS

3.1     See Appendix A for the definitions of words used in this policy and its associated procedures.
 

4.0     POLICY

4.1     Animals used in research, teaching and testing by SFU faculty members, staff and students must be cared for and maintained in accordance with applicable laws, CCAC guidelines and policy statements, and the requirements of the Tri-Council Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions.

4.2     The Vice-President, Research and International shall establish an institutional Animal Care Committee (“UACC”) to concern itself with the ethical and responsible use and care of Animals in research, teaching, and testing. The Vice-President, Research and International has the authority to establish and to modify the responsibilities and powers of the AUCC.

4.3     SFU faculty members, staff, and students shall not acquire or use an Animal for research, teaching, or testing without prior written approval from the UACC.
 

5.0     ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1     All SFU faculty members, staff, and students acquiring or using Animals in research, teaching and testing must do so in accordance with this and other applicable SFU policies and procedures, and in accordance with the applicable laws, guidelines, policies, and requirement set out in section 4.1.

5.2     The University Animal Care Committee has the authority, on behalf of the Vice-President, Research and International, to:

5.2.1     approve proposals for the use of Animals in research or teaching;

5.2.2     stop any procedure if it considers unnecessary distress or pain to be experienced by an Animal;

5.2.3     stop immediately any use of Animals which deviates from the approved use, or which employs any non-approved procedure or any procedure causing unforeseen pain or distress to Animals; and

5.2.4     have an Animal euthanized if pain or distress caused to the Animal cannot be alleviated.

5.3     Director of Animal Care has responsibility for:

5.3.1     the day-to-day care and welfare of all Animals used in research or teaching under the auspices of SFU;

5.3.2     determining the appropriate method of fulfilling training requirements for all faculty members, staff, and students using Animals for teaching or research at SFU.

5.3.3     the acquisition and disposal of Animals required for projects;

5.3.4     monitoring the compliance of researchers with the terms of this policy and the terms of the approval of their projects; and

5.3.5     maintenance of records.
 

6.0     RELATED LEGAL, POLICY AUTHORITIES AND AGREEMENTS

6.1     The legal and other University Policy authorities and agreements that may bear on the administration of this policy and may be consulted as needed include but are not limited to:

6.1.1     University Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 468

6.1.2     Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 165

6.1.3     All current policies of Canada Council on Animal Care

6.1.4     The Tri-Council Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions

6.1.5     Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 372

6.1.6     Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1985, c C-46, sections 444-447
 

7.0     ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY

7.1     The information and records made and received to administer this policy are subject to the access to information and protection of privacy provisions of British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the University’s Information Policy series.
 

8.0     RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS

8.1     Information and records made and received to administer this policy are evidence of the University’s actions to ensure the ethical and humane treatment and handling of all animals used in teaching and research. Information and records must be retained and disposed of in accordance with a records retention schedule approved by the University Archivist.
 

9.0     POLICY REVIEW

9.1     This policy must be reviewed every five years and may always be reviewed as needed.
 

10.0     POLICY AUTHORITY

10.1     This policy is administered under the authority of the Vice-President, Research and International.
 

11.0     INTERPRETATION

11.1 Questions of interpretation or application of this policy or its procedures shall be referred to the Vice-President, Research and International whose decision shall be final.
 

12.0     PROCEDURES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS

12.1     Appendix A contains the definitions applicable to this policy and its associated procedures.

12.2     Appendix B contains the terms of reference for the University Animal Care Committee.

12.3     The procedures for this policy are: Procedures for the Treatment of Animals in Research and Teaching