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SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee

All applications for approval of the use of animals in teaching or research must be considered at a meeting of the SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), appointed by the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Minister responsible for animal welfare.

For current information specifically regarding SA Pathology animal ethics please contact the Executive Officer Dr John Finnie via or 0427 862 084.

The below Licence for teaching, research or experimentation involving animals under section 17 (2) of the Animal Welfare Act, 1985 have been issued by the Minister for Environment and Conservation:

 
Licence Number
SA Pathology 12
Royal Adelaide Hospital 152
The University of South Australia 155
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital 144
Venom Supplies Pty Ltd 223

Please note: If your research or other activity involves humans, biosafety, gene technology, chemical hazards or radiation safety you must also obtain approval from the relevant committee.

 

Application process

Your typed application must be submitted to the Secretary of the SA Pathology CHN Animal Ethics Committee by the specified dates (at the latest) to enable distribution to members before meetings. It is preferred that applications be circulated well in advance of these dates to allow consideration and the opportunity to contact applicants should further information or clarification of proposals be required.

You must provide:

  • A signed copy of the original application.
  • 19 HARD DUPLICATE COPIES – TO BE COPIED DOUBLE SIDED.
  • Email your electronic copy (PDF).

Please forward the above to:
Kathryn Zagrodzki
Animal Ethics Committee
SA Pathology
Level 3, Room 20 Hanson Institute Building, North
RAH Site
Frome Road
ADELAIDE SA 5000
Phone +61 8 8222 3379
Phone +61 8 8222 3399

 

Common Animal Ethics Committee Application form

 The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has developed “Common Application Forms” designed to be used for all state based AECs.  The common form can be obtained from the DENR website www.environment.sa.gov.au/Plants_and_Animals/Animal_welfare or by contacting the AEC Secretary.

Applications to the Adelaide University AEC must be made using its online webform.  If you need dual clearance a printed copy of the Adelaide University AEC online application will be accepted by the SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee.

With the exception of the Adelaide University AEC, application to all South Australian biomedical and research AEC's can be made using the following forms:

Application attachments:

 

Forms and guidelines  

See also online application system

Guidelines for the use of Animals in Research SA Path 700
Application for minor change of protocol SA Path 1476
Animal Users Permit - application for permission to use animals for teaching, research and experimentation SA Path 1476
Annual statistics return and annual progress report SA Path 141
Application for executive approval preclinical studies SA Path1577
Application for scavenged tissue SA Path 2085
Application to establish and maintain an animal breeding colony SA Path 1889
If you need to report an adverse event or report on a pilot/trial study please use:  
Adverse event report form SA Path 1383
Report to AEC (Pilot/Trial Study) SA Path 1399

 

Contact

To obtain the Common Application Form or if you have general enquiries or enquiries about submitting applications please contact:  

Kathryn Zagrodzki
Ph: 8222 3379
Email:

 

Application deadlines

Typed applications must reach the Secretary of the AEC by the following dates (at the latest) to enable distribution to members before meetings. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Deadline for receipt of applications AEC meeting date
21 November 2012 Wednesday 5 December 2012
24 January 2013 6 February 2013
6 March 2013 20 March 2013
17 April 2013 1 May 2013
29 May 2013 12 June 2013
10 July 2013 24 July 2013
21 August 2013 4 September 2013
2 October 2013 16 October 2013
13 November 2013 27 November 2013

Late applications will not be accepted.



Dual Clearance

Staff whose applications are covered by the SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee and who wish to undertake activities involving animals on the premises of another organisation, ethical approval will be required from the SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee.

Similarly, people from other organisations wishing to use animals for scientific purposes on premises of SA Pathology will require ethical approval from their parent organisation and also from the SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee. A copy of the application should be sent to the SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee at the same time to avoid delays in approval.

NOTE:  All projects involving students must identify the student and must be approved by the institution where the student is enrolled. The student can not be the primary applicant.

 

Approval of applications

Key Pointers when Submitting and Ethics Application

  • Lay descriptions must be clear and simple to understand by all members of the Committee (especially non-scientists) for consideration of this protocol to go smoothly.  Please use language that avoids scientific and clinical terminology.
  • The reason for doing the study must be clear (i.e. what are the primary objectives, it should not sound like a “having a look at” type of study)
  • Be clear about what actually happens to the animals.
  • Be clear about what is actually being measured (this is important for the power calculation  which is essential in most instances).
  • Justifying animal numbers - To do this you have to know or estimate the variability of your quantitative measurements. If certain numbers have worked in the past, fine, but still show how the N value is reached. Justifying numbers should read something like. One of the primary measurements in this study is "-serum xyz" which can be measured with a CVof “ ----“. Applying the power calculation to get a difference between test and control of at least (say 20%) shows a group size of (n= ---) will be required to obtain a difference at p<0.05, using a power of 0.80 (quoting the type of statistics you will apply).
  • Make sure there is a flow diagram showing the experimental plan. Are all the controls necessary?
  • Make sure the numbers add up.
  • It is important to use the appropriate number of animals (not too many, not too few). This can only be ascertained by a power calculation.
  • Very importantly, give some detail on ethical questions (why these animals, alternatives, level of pain, numbers required). Reduction, refinement, replacement are key issues. Also, consider pilot studies
  • Limit the excessive detail on methods unrelated to what actually happens to the animals.
  • Limit attachments (the application should be free standing and independent of the last protocol).
    It is important to read the code of practice. The Head of Department is ultimately responsible and must be satisfied with all aspects of the application.
    If your research involves the use of a standard model, consider submitting a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for review by the committee which will simplify future applications

 

Teaching and research permits

Government agencies

The many possible permits that researchers may need are governed by the following agencies: 

 

Applying for a permit

Animal Users Permits:

All researchers who are involved in any way with the use of animals must have a current animal users permit regardless of where that work is undertaken or where the animals are housed. Written approval is required from the SA Pathology/CHN Animal Ethics Committee for any animal experimentation

Animal Users Permits must be completed by all animal users and renewed yearly.
Some importations (eg African clawed toads) can require three permits plus AQIS accreditation of the premises used to hold the animals.

Australian permits required:

South Australian permits required:

The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 provides for a permit system to keep native animals in captivity. A permit to keep and sell most native animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles is required in South Australia. Other permits include:

  • South Australian Department for Environment and Natural Resources:
  • Licences and permits for research and teaching involving animals. Research and teaching using animals may only be performed when they are essential:
  • to obtain and establish significant information relevant to the understanding of humans and/or animals
  • for the maintenance and improvement of human and/or animal health and welfare; for the improvement of animal management or production
  • to obtain and establish significant information relevant to the understanding, maintenance or improvement of the natural environment
  • for the achievement of educational objectives
  • Fauna Permits - for permits required and other information
  • Scientific Permits are required if the project falls under one or more of the following categories:
  • scientific research that involves 'taking' a protected species from the wild (all birds, mammals and reptiles except those listed unprotected in the National Parks and Wildlife Act)
  • scientific research carried out in any of the various categories of reserves
  • plant specimen collecting.

 

Useful links

Acts and Codes

The following Acts and Codes must be adhered to:

Guidelines and resources

Wildlife research