Part 7: Committee on Animal Care and Ethical Review

7.1. The Committee on Animal Care and Ethical Review shall consist of:

(1) a person appointed by Council, on the recommendation and with the agreement of the Establishment Licence Holder, who shall be a person not being engaged in work governed by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and who shall be chair of the committee;

(2) one representative from departmental ethical review committees nominated by the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Board;

(3), (4) two representatives from departmental ethical review committees nominated by the Medical Sciences Board, at least one of whom shall be based at the hospital sites in Headington;

(5) one of the Proctors or the Assessor as may be agreed between them;

(6) a Personal Licensee appointed by the Establishment Licence Holder, after consultation with the Named Veterinary Surgeons and the Director of Biomedical Services, from among those nominated by departments;

(7) a Project Licence Holder appointed by the Establishment Licence Holder, after consultation with the Named Veterinary Surgeons and the Director of Biomedical Services, from among those nominated by departments;

(8)–(10) up to three members of the University appointed by Council on the recommendation and with the agreement of the Establishment Licence Holder, who shall be persons not engaged in work under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, and of whom at least one shall normally be an expert in statistics or experimental design;

(11), (12) up to two persons appointed by Council on the recommendation and with the agreement of the Establishment Licence Holder, who shall neither be engaged in work under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 nor be employed by the University or any college, society, Permanent Private Hall, or other designated institution of the University;

(13) one of the Named Veterinary Surgeons appointed by the Establishment Licence Holder;

(14) one of the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers appointed by the Establishment Licence Holder.

The Establishment Licence Holder and the Director of Biomedical Services shall be in attendance but shall not have the right to vote.

7.2. (1) The committee shall have power to co-opt additional members to ensure an appropriate range of expertise.

(2) Co-opted members shall hold office for one year and shall be re-eligible.

7.3. The committee shall promote best practice and a culture of care for all animals held within or on behalf of the University and, to this end, shall:

(1) establish and maintain an ethical review process for the University as a whole, details of which shall be approved by Council from time to time and may not be amended otherwise than with the approval of the Secretary of State, under the terms and conditions of the Establishment Licence;

(2) in conjunction with the Establishment Licence Holder, ensure that all those working within the University (and external research units operating under the University’s Establishment Licence) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are aware of their roles and responsibilities under that Act and other relevant legislation;

(3) on behalf of the Establishment Licence Holder, establish procedures to ensure that all those working within the University (and external research units operating under the University’s Establishment Licence) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 act upon any recommendations made by the Establishment Licence Holder, this committee, the Named Persons and the Home Office as appropriate;

(4) ensure that all those working within the University (and external research units operating under the University’s Establishment Licence) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 adopt a pro-active approach to promoting a culture of care in animal welfare matters, and are committed to best practice in all areas, using reduction, refinement and replacement techniques wherever possible;

(5) support the Named Persons in the discharge of their responsibilities under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986;

(6) advise Council, the Establishment Licence Holder, and other university bodies, as may be required, on the provision and development of services, facilities, and supporting staff in furtherance of the University’s aims and objectives and in accordance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and other relevant enactments;

(7) keep under review the general maintenance, breeding, supply, and condition of animals held within the University (and external research units operating under the University’s Establishment Licence);

(8) keep under review and advise Council and the medical and scientific departments (and external research units operating under the University’s Establishment Licence) on questions concerning the application of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, on the codes of practice, conditions, and guidance set out under that Act, and on other relevant legislation;

(9) advise Council on matters relating to the use of animals in teaching and research and on public-relations aspects of animal experimentation;

(10) monitor standards of animal health and welfare in conjunction with the Director of Biomedical Services, from whom it will receive a termly report, and notify the Establishment Licence Holder of any concerns that may result.

7.4. The committee shall meet at least once in each term and on such other occasions as may be necessary.

7.5. The committee shall report to Council annually with recommendations for action if required.

7.6. (1) The Director of Biomedical Services shall be appointed by Council, with the approval of the Establishment Licence Holder and after consultation with the committee.

(2) The terms and conditions of service of the director shall be determined by Council, with the approval of the Establishment Licence Holder and after consultation with the committee, the director shall be responsible to the Establishment Licence Holder for the performance of their duties.

7.7. The committee shall have power to establish by standing order such subcommittees as it may deem appropriate.