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Published 30 March 2023ANZCCART releases first report on Openness Agreement in Animal Research and Teaching
The ANZCCART Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching for New Zealand was launched in July 2021. It now has 28 signatories that pledge to be open about how and why they use animals in their research and teaching. A report on signatories openness activities in its first year has now been published.
The Openness Agreement is designed to provide the public with more information on the use of animals in research and teaching and to enhance communication between the scientific community, the public, and tangata whenua. The first Annual Report presents the progress and experiences of the signatories over the September 2021 to September 2022 period and provides a benchmark for future improvements in Openness.
The Openness Agreement's commitments include:
- clear communication about the use of animals in research and teaching
- enhanced communication with the media, tangata whenua, and the public about the use of animals in research and teaching,
- providing opportunities for the public to learn about the use of animals in research and teaching,
- reporting on progress annually.
The Report shows that 86% of research/teaching organisations and 83% of non-research/teaching organisations have discussed animals in research and teaching with the public. Furthermore, 67% of research/teaching organisations and 33% of non-research/teaching organisations have made using animals in research and teaching clear to their researchers, staff, and students. The Report highlights that 57% of research/teaching organisations and 33% of non-research/teaching organisations have communicated work around the Three Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animals and research methods) to the media and the public.
The Openness Agreement aims to ensure informed discussion and debate among the scientific community, public, and tangata whenua. The agreement aims to promote high animal welfare standards and adherence to the Three Rs. As the public becomes more aware of the use of animals in research and teaching, the scientific community must remain open, trustworthy, and accountable.
The first Annual Report provides an opportunity to share progress towards the commitments and benchmark advancements in Openness about the use of animals in research in Aotearoa.