Sub Committees and Work Groups

Some of the Committee's work is best taken forward in small groups, either in formal sub-committees or in working groups. Each reports back to the main Committee on their deliberations and conclusions reached. The Committee and its sub-committees and working groups are supported by the APC secretariat. Sub-Committees are permanent; working groups are created for a particular task; and are then disbanded.

The sub-committees, their terms of reference and memberships, are as follows:

the Applications Sub-committee considers project licence applications referred to the Committee for advice. Members are: Ms Nathan (Chair), Dr Doe, Dr Glendinning, Dr Hubrecht, Dr Hunt, Mr Moore, Professor Oliver, Professor Pickard and Dr Prescott.

the Education and Training Sub-committee advises on the requirements for training and education of those who hold responsibilities under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 or who carry out duties under the controls of the Act. In doing so, it liaises with a range of bodies, including the three bodies which accredit licensee training courses: the Institute of Biology, the Scottish Accreditation Board and the Universities Group for the Accreditation of Training. Its members are Mr Moore (Chair), Dr Festing and Mr Kemp.

the Housing and, Husbandry and Sub-committee is considering housing and husbandry issues on a case by case basis as requested by the Committee or determined as being of importance by the group. Currently the sub-committee are looking at the assessment of fish welfare under the Act. Members are Dr Hubrecht (Chair), Dr Hawkins, Mr Kemp, Professor Kendrick, Dr Morris and Dr Prescott.

the Primate Sub-committee advises on issues relating to the acquisition, housing, care and use of non-human primates in regulated procedures; Its members are Professor Pickard (Chair), Dr Hubrecht, Dr Hunt and Dr Prescott.

Until recently the Research and Alternatives Sub-committee advised the Home Office on sponsoring research concerned with the replacement, reduction and refinement of procedures. RASC also develops and promotes awareness and use of alternatives and research relating to the Committee's interest in the operation of the 1986 Act. Its members are Dr Festing (Chair), and Mr Moore. The Home Office's budget for this research has now been transferred to the new National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research. Their website is http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/page.asp?id=144

In addition to these sub-committees, a number of working groups have been established:

The Revision of Directive 86/609 working group is reviewing the Directive. Members are Mr Moore (chair), Dr Hawkins, Dr Hunt. Dr Simpson and Professor Oliver.

The Schedule 1 Working Group is reviewing aspects of humane killing of experimental animals under the 1986 Act. Members are Dr Morris (Chair), Mr Kemp and a co-opted member.

The Suffering and Severity Working Group is reviewing aspects of the system of severity limits and bands. Members are Professor Oliver (Chair), Dr Hubrecht, Mr Kemp, Mr Moore and Professor Pickard.

The Consideration for the discharge of GM animals from Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act Working Group is reviewing the criteria for the discharge of GM animals from the control of the Act. Members are Professor Kendrick (Chair), Dr Festing, Dr Hawkins, Dr Hunt, Dr Simpson and two co-opted members.

A review of the local ethical process working group is reviewing the effectiveness of the ethical review process. Members are Dr Hunt (Chair), Dr Glendinning, Dr Hubrecht and Dr Morris.