RSPCA International’s work with industry has mainly focused on East Asia and Europe. Workshops and training have addressed ethical review, the development of alternatives in education and the 3Rs (reduction, refinement and replacement of the use of animals in research). Read about some of our recent work below. 

World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) - new standards

Working through the International Coalition for Animal Welfare (ICFAW) we have input scientific expertise for improving draft global guidelines on animal health and welfare. The final text, published in 2010 includes a chapter on ‘Animals used in research and education’. 

Participating in the 3rd East Mediterranean ICLAS Symposium in Turkey

In 2011 the RSPCA was approached by the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS) to sponsor and participate in a session on ethical review at the 3rd East Mediterranean Symposium held in Istanbul. The event was attended by 300 delegates from the eastern Mediterranean basin. Our own Dr Maggy Jennings gave a presentation on harm/benefit assessment and how pain and distress in animals can be better recognised and evaluated. We also sponsored Professor Zoran Todorovic from Serbia to present (on behalf of the WBVN) a session on the importance of ethical review committees.

ICLAS is an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organisation. It exists to promote high standards of animal care and use in education, research, testing and diagnosis, and to promote good science which fosters humane practices. The main aims of the organisation are to promote and coordinate the development of laboratory animal science throughout the world, and as a matter of priority in developing countries, to collect and disseminate information on laboratory animal science, and to promote worldwide harmonisation in the care and use of laboratory animals.

RSPCA International plans to help initiate the establishment of a regional platform for laboratory animal science and welfare in the Western Balkans to create opportunities for better promoting and disseminating knowledge and information relating to ethical review and the implementation of the 3Rs.

Development of plastinated dog specimens in the Western Balkans

In February 2010, the Western Balkans Veterinary Network (WBVN) completed a project to find an alternative to the use of animals in education and research. The result was the production of a whole plastinated canine digestive and respiratory system specially designed for training exercises in endoscopic and bronchoscopic exploration. A CD rom was produced in collaboration by three veterinary faculties in the region for distribution throughout the Western Balkans.

The project conforms with EU directives requiring the Commission and member states to actively support the development, validation and acceptance of methods which could reduce, refine or replace the use of laboratory animals.
 

Interested in finding out more about work on research animals in the Western Balkans?  Visit the WBVN website.
  

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