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Links to resources from other organisations International organisations promoting the ethical care and use of laboratory animals ANZCCART (NZ) has memberships or partnerships with four international organisations that promote greater openness, or the ethical care and humane use, of animals in research, in order to learn from international best practice. AAALAC International In late September 2009, ANZCCART New Zealand was approved for membership of AAALAC International. ANZCCART continues to support the mission and work of AAALAC International by serving as an AAALAC “Member Organization.” ANZCCART joins more than 75+ other prestigious scientific, professional and educational organizations from around the world that have an interest in advancing animal well-being in science. AAALAC International is the world’s largest accrediting body for animal research and education programs. Currently more than 1,175 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 52 countries/regions have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. These institutions volunteer to participate in AAALAC's program, in addition to complying with all applicable local and national laws that regulate animal research. Those that meet or exceed applicable standards are awarded accreditation —a mark of quality assurance recognized around the world. ANZCCART' s continued participation as an AAALAC International Member Organization demonstrates our commitment to responsible animal care and use. It's an opportunity to join with other respected organizations to communicate that excellence in animal welfare is critical to quality science and education. In 2025 ANZCCART Australia joined New Zealand in its AAALAC membership and the two countries now share the same representative For more information on AAALAC visit www.aaalac.org . International Council for Laboratory Animal Science In 2005, ANZCCART New Zealand was approved for membership in the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS). ICLAS is an international scientific organisation dedicated to advancing human and animal health by promoting the ethical care and use of laboratory animals in research worldwide. In 2025 paid membership of ICLAS by ANZCCART New Zealand was extended to include ANZCCART Australia with the two countries sharing the same representative. European Animal Research Association In 2020, ANZCCART signed a MoU with the European Animal Research Association ( EARA ) which reflects a shared commitment to greater openness, improved communications and constructive public discourse in relation to animal research in Australia and New Zealand. In 2022 ANZCCART (Australia and New Zealand) became a full member of EARA. Understanding Animal Research From 2020 to 2022 ANZCCART (Australia and New Zealand) were members of UK’s Understanding Animal Research ( UAR ), which seeks to achieve a broad understanding of the humane use of animals in medical, veterinary, scientific and environmental research. There is now a UAR Oceania with which ANZCCART established an MoU in 2025. The Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association In 2025, ANZCCART signed a MoU with the Australian and New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association ( ANZLAA) to promote the ethical, responsible, and transparent use of animals in research and teaching across Australia and New Zealand. ANZLAA is a professional organisation dedicated to supporting individuals involved in the care and use of animals in research and teaching. ANZLAA provides a platform for networking, professional development, and knowledge exchange among laboratory animal professionals across Australia, New Zealand, and the wider Oceania region. Feature articles This section includes a selection of external articles that are relevant to researchers, teachers and students who use animals in their work. If you know of an article that should be included in this resource bank please contact us with the full reference. Squeaky clean mice could be ruining research . Nature (2018):Apr 5;556(7699):16-18 Should research animals be named? Science (2015): Vol. 347 no. 6225 pp. 941-943 Line of attack . Science (2015): Vol. 347 no. 6225 pp. 938-940 Resource bank and recommendations on best practice ANZCCART aims to promote best practice whenever animals are used for research, testing or teaching. This resource bank contains articles, newsletters and information that will help you keep up to date with the latest developments in animal welfare. Statistical design for animal welfare. We strongly recommend the resources on designing animal experiments provided by Michael Festing . Alt web (resource database hosted by Johns Hopkins University) Animal Welfare Act 1999 (Parliamentary Council Office website) ANZCCART Conferences on animal welfare in the context of research, testing and teaching Culture of Care (A NAEAC guide for people working with animals in research, testing and teaching) (PDF, 393 kb, 6 pages) Ethical guidelines for Tertiary students in laboratory classes involving the use of animals and animal tissues (ANZCCART NZ resource, 1 page PDF) Ethical guidelines for tertiary students .pdf Download PDF • 172KB Guide to the Animal Welfare Act (Ministry of Primary Industries website) SPCA New Zealand The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) website The National Animal Welfare Committee (NAWAC) website

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Information about animal research in New Zealand The use of animals in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand Animal use in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand is strictly controlled under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 . Any person or organisation using animals must follow an approved code of ethical conduct, which sets out the policies and procedures that must be followed by the organisation and its animal ethics committee. Further information about the regulation of animal research is available from the Ministry for Primary Industries. The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) and National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) are statutory committees established under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. The roles of NAEAC, NAWAC, MPI, and ANZCCART NZ are outlined in the graphics below. It is the responsibility of everyone who uses animals to ensure that they are only used when absolutely necessary and that when they are used they are treated with care and respect. If an animal is used for research, testing or teaching the work must be conducted in line with the Three Rs (from the ideas of Russell and Burch in their 1959 book The principles of humane experimental technique available through the Johns Hopkins Alt Web website). Replacement Accelerating the development and use of predictive and robust models and tools, based on the latest science and technologies, to replace the use of animals in addressing important research questions where they would have otherwise been used. Reduction Appropriately designed and analysed animal experiments that are robust and reproducible, and add to the knowledge base. Refinement Advancing laboratory animal welfare by exploiting the latest in vivo technologies to minimise pain, suffering and distress and improve understanding of the impact of welfare on scientific outcomes. Animal use statistics Annual records of the annual numbers of animals used in research, testing and teaching have been collected and published by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) since 1987 ( MPI animal use statistics ). What is recorded are animals that have had their normal physiological, behavioural, or anatomical integrity altered by a procedure (called a 'manipulation'). This can involve exposing the animal to any parasite, micro-organism, drug, chemical, biological product, radiation, electrical stimulation, or environmental condition; or enforced activity, restraint, nutrition, or surgical intervention; or depriving the animal of usual care. Further details of ‘manipulations’, annual statistics and the definition of an ‘animal’ according to the NZ Animal Welfare Act can be found below . Records of the annual numbers of animals used in research, testing and teaching have been collected since 1987, and record animals that have had manipulations involving the normal physiological, behavioural, or anatomical integrity of the animal by deliberately subjecting it to a procedure which is unusual or abnormal when compared with that to which animals of that type would be subjected under normal management or practice. This can involve exposing the animal to any parasite, micro-organism, drug, chemical, biological product, radiation, electrical stimulation, or environmental condition; or enforced activity, restraint, nutrition, or surgical intervention; or depriving the animal of usual care. Proportion of animals (per type) used in research, testing and teaching in 2025 From 1 January 2018, the definition of ‘manipulation’ was expanded to include the killing of an animal for research, testing or teaching on its body or tissues, and the breeding or producing offspring that have potentially compromised welfare due to breeding (for example, to research some hereditary medical conditions). All animals reported in these new categories are required to be treated with the same duty of care as animals used for research and teaching. From 1 January 2019 the number of animals bred but not used also had to be reported in another new category. Reasons for animals being bred but not used might include: Wrong sex for the specific research project (this is because the sex ratio of offspring can often not be controlled prior to birth). Creating or maintaining genetically altered lines (not all offspring have the required genetic alteration). Number bred was over and above what was needed (exact size of litters or number of offspring born are usually unpredictable). Sufficient numbers are needed to sustain animal colonies, as well as ensure adequate diversity and sufficient timely supply for research and teaching purposes. ‘Sentinel animals’ used for health screening of other animals in the laboratory, whose condition hints towards any subtle health issues in the lab that could widely impact other animals’ welfare. The animals can also be useful after death in teaching and training, or by storing tissues from the animals which can be used in future research. This may reduce the number of animals that need to be bred and used in future. Statistics on New Zealand’s use of animals in research: 2025 , 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016 , 2015 , 2014 , 2013 , 2012 , 2011 , 2010 Infographics on this data (incorporated into reports from 2021): 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 ANZCCART NZ press releases relating to MPI statistics: 2025 , 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 The definition of animal, however, varies from country to country: In New Zealand it includes any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, octopus, squid, crab, lobster, or crayfish, including any mammalian foetus, or any avian or reptilian pre-hatched young, that is in the last half of its period of gestation or development, but excludes any animal in the pre-natal, pre-hatched, larval, or other such developmental stage (other than those indicated previously). Marsupial pouch young are also considered animals. In Australia it includes any fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and cephalopods, but with some variation by state. In some States it also extends to lobsters, crabs or crayfish. In South Australia, a license is not required to use fish for research purposes. In the US , it includes warm-blooded animals, but excludes birds, rats and mice bred for use in research. In the EU , it includes live vertebrate animals and cephalopods, including independently feeding larval forms and foetal forms of mammals. Institutional Codes of Ethical Conduct under animal welfare legislation Before institutions in New Zealand are permitted to use animals for research, testing or teaching, they must apply for a licence from the government. The licence is called a ‘Code of Ethical Conduct’. This system is unique to New Zealand. Each institutional Code sets out the conditions and rules for animal use and the approving procedures of its Animal Ethics Committee. Codes vary between organisations, depending upon the nature of the scientific activity. These Codes offer insights into how organisations value animals used for scientific or teaching purposes. A list of Code Holders can be found at the end of each MPI annual statistics report, including a list of organisations who have an approved arrangement to use the Code of another organisation. Since 2021 the ANZCCART New Zealand Openness Agreement has encouraged all research and teaching signatories to make the code they use publicly available on their institution’s website. New Zealanders' Attitudes to Animal Research in 2023 A recently conducted study reveals New Zealanders’ perspectives and knowledge on the use of animals in scientific research, testing, and teaching. The study was conducted on behalf of the New Zealand board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART NZ). You can read the report here: ANZCCART_Animal research report Final .pdf Download PDF • 3.37MB ANZCCART Press release: New Study Reveals New Zealanders' Views on Animal Use in Scientific Research and Teaching Science Media Centre expert reaction to the study can be read here . Research animal re-homing ANZCCART supports and encourages the re-homing of research animals as an alternative to euthanasia, wherever possible.

Openness Agreement The New Zealand Board of the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART), a Committee of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, has supported the development of an Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching for New Zealand. A draft version of the Agreement went out for consultation in 2020/21, and was launched at the ANZCCART 2021 conference on 27 July 2021: Press release about launch of Openness Agreement Media coverage: New Zealand Herald ; Science Media Centre NZ ; Radio New Zealand ; Farmers Weekly; the Mandarin New Zealand has long been committed to maintaining and improving high standards of animal welfare as well as undertaking world-leading research and teaching using animals. Those involved in research have an obligation to demonstrate and promote these values, and in order to be seen as trustworthy they must be open, transparent, and accountable for the research and teaching that they conduct, fund or support, including when the high standards they strive for are not achieved. Doing more to communicate the context in which animal research and teaching takes place, the work that organisations undertake to incorporate the Three Rs (the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of animals), the regulations that govern this research, and the systems that are in place to report and rectify poor practice is key. The objective of this Agreement is to ensure that the public are well informed about what animal research involves, the role it plays in the overall process of scientific discovery, how such research is regulated in New Zealand, and what researchers and animal care staff do to promote welfare, reduce animal usage and minimise suffering and harm to the animals. Several countries have now implemented (or are actively working on) formal ‘openness agreements’ to improve public understanding of animal research. Under such agreements, stakeholders make a public pledge to be more open about their involvement in animal research and explain details and reasons underlying it. The European Animal Research Association has several examples of openness agr eements. The longest established openness agreement is the UK Concordat on Openness on Animal Research . The UK Concordat has operated successfully since 2014 and now has over 120 signatories representing leading universities, research institutes, government agencies, funders and industry. Commit m e nts The Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand sets out five Commitments that require signatories to take steps to be more open about the use of animals in research and teaching. The five commitments are: We will be clear about why and how we use animals in research and teachin g. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals in research and teaching. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research and teaching using animals. We will enhance our communications with tangata whenua about our use of animals in research and teaching. We will report on progress annually and share our experiences. Following a review of the Agreement in 2024, an additional category of "Supporter" was added as a type of signatory for organisations that do not conduct animal research or teaching directly but have indirect involvement in ways such as providing funding, regulatory oversight, supplying equipment or animals for, or serving as professional bodies. View the agreement here: ANZCCART Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand – 2025 Openness Week 2026 - 12-16 October 2026 Organisations are invited to take part in the inaugural New Zealand Openness Week 2026, to be held from 12 to 16 October 2026, in the lead-up to the ANZCCART conference in Sydney. NZ Openness Week is a nationally coordinated week during which signatories to the New Zealand Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching proactively engage with the public about how and why animals are used in research, testing and teaching. It is a chance to promote openness alongside your peers under shared national messaging — and to be recognised for the work you are already doing. How to take part Register your interest by Monday 28 September, letting us know which activities you intend to offer. Run your activity during 12–16 October, drawing on our guidance and shared materials. Share the story with us — a photo, email, newsletter, brief report, or by tagging ANZCCART NZ on LinkedIn. With your permission, we will help amplify it across our channels. Please register your interest, or get in touch, by 28 September. Openness Agreement Annual Report Signatories report annually on their progress and share experiences: 2022 An nual Report: Download (Press Release ) (infographic ) 2023 Annual Report: Download (Press Re lease ) (infographic ) 2024 Annual Report: Download (Press Release ) (infographic ) 2025 Annual Report: Download (Press Release ) (infographic ) Signatories The signatories to this agreement are: Research & Teaching Signatories Supporter Signatories If your organisation would like to join the Agreement, please contact: anzccart@royalsociety.org.nz

Contact ANZCCART New Zealand c/o Royal Society Te Apārangi PO Box 598 Wellington, 6140 New Zealand Phone: +64 4-472 7421 Email ANZCCART Australia C/- The University of Adelaide SA 5005 Australia Phone: +618 8313 7585 Website Email How to Contact ANZCCART (NZ) Board Members for Media Comments ANZCCART (NZ) board members are generally happy to be contacted for comment. Please contact the ANZCCART (NZ) Executive Officer at the Royal Society Te Apārangi (anzccart@royalsociety.org.nz ) and they will forward your request to the appropriate member.

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