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UC Policy Library
Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) Code of Ethical Conduct
Last Modified
Review Date
Approval Authority
Contact Person
March 2017
September 2017
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Ethics Coordinator – Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Research and Innovation)
Introduction
The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) has developed a Code of Ethical Conduct that
complies with requirements laid down by the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (New Zealand
Legislation website) including sections 80 and 100 of the Act, which set out the purposes
of the regulatory system for the use of animals in science, the promotion of the three R’s
(Reduction, Replacement and Refinement), and the criteria for decision-making. This
Code was approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (MPI website).
Definitions
Animal – any live mammal (excluding human beings), bird, reptile, amphibian, fish,
octopus, squid, crab, lobster or crayfish. An animal also includes marsupial pouch-young,
mammalian foetuses in the second half of gestation, and avian and reptilian pre-hatched
young in the second half of development. This definition will also encompass any other
species that might be included by the Governor-General by Order in Council.
Members of the University – include for the purposes of this document any teacher,
researcher, technician or employee of the University, whether paid or unpaid and/or any
student enrolled at the University. It also includes any visitors from other national or
international institutions using University facilities for research or teaching.
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Code of Ethical Conduct (CEC)
Part I: List of Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) Members
Chair:
or his/her nominee
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) (DVC(R and I))
Deputy Chair:
Dean of Science or his/her nominee
Secretary:
Designated by the DVC(R and I)
AEC member:
Head of Department, Department of Psychology or his/her
nominee
AEC member:
Head of School, School of Biological Sciences or his/her nominee
Veterinarian:
Nominee from the New Zealand Veterinary Association
RNZSPCA member:
Nominee from the RNZSPCA
Lay member:
Nominee of the Canterbury Regional Council
Part II: Management Responsibilities
a) Institutional responsibility resides with the DVC(R and I), who delegates the Dean of
Science to act as Chair of the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). The Dean of Science
may nominate a member of the AEC as Chair upon approval of the DVC(R and I) and
subject to the endorsement of the AEC.
b) A Deputy Chair of the AEC will be appointed by the Chair to act in the absence of the
Chair.
c) The administration of the AEC is the responsibility of the DVC(R and I)’s Office.
d) The DVC(R and I)’s Office carries out the day-to-day management of AEC matters.
Part III: Terms of Reference
a) No research or teaching, on or off campus, using live animals as specified in the
Animal Welfare Act 1999 (New Zealand Legislation website) may be carried out by any
staff or student member of the University unless an application for such use has been
approved by the AEC.
b) The composition and terms of appointment of the AEC is set out in Part V of this
document. Members are appointed for a five year period and reappointments are
permissible by nomination through the procedures set out in Part V.
c) The AEC will meet at least four times each year, but more frequently as needed or
when a member requests a meeting to discuss any issue of concern.

Members will be notified in writing when a meeting is to be called.

Members will be given a minimum period of notice of one week before a meeting
is called.
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

Meetings may be requested within 24 hours to deal with emergencies.
A quorum will be four members and must include two members external to the
University.
Part IV: Description of General Nature and Extent of Work
This document is designed to comply with all the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act
1999 (New Zealand Legislation website) so that animal species specified in the Act may
only be used by any member of the University in research, testing and teaching once an
application is approved by the AEC. Work may be carried out on University premises or in
the field. Manipulations requiring approval are any that are not part of the normal care of
laboratory animals and those which might affect the behaviour or health of wild animals.
Approvals for work given by the University do not override other requirements, such as
permissions required by the Department of Conservation (DOC) (DOC website) or local iwi
for work on protected, indigenous species.
The University will hold colonies of rats, mice, pigeon, quail, Xenopus and other
amphibians, and fish for research, testing and teaching. The purpose of this document is
to ensure that members of the University treat all animals in their control with due care and
consideration for their welfare, and to use animals in research and teaching in such a way
as to cause them minimal stress and suffering.
Part V: Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)
In accordance with the Act, an AEC will be set up to approve projects to regulate the use
of animals in teaching and research.
The AEC will comprise:
a) DVC(R and I) or his/her nominee to act as Chair.
b) The Dean of Science or his/her nominee to act as Deputy Chair.
c) The Heads of the Department of Psychology and School of Biological Sciences or their
representatives.
d) A veterinarian, who shall not otherwise be associated with the code holder as defined
in the code, nominated by the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
e) A representative of the broader interests of animal welfare in the community who shall
be nominated by an approved organisation concerned with the welfare of animals
such as the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(RNZSPCA), provided that such a person shall not otherwise be associated with the
code holder.
f)
A lay person to represent the public interest who is not otherwise associated with the
code holder or Animal Welfare agencies, and who is appointed by the AEC on
nomination by a local Territorial or Regional Authority.
g) The AEC shall have the power to co-opt additional non-voting members on a
temporary basis, where it requires that person's specialist knowledge.
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h) Members of the AEC will hold office for a term of five years. A member may be
reappointed for further five-year terms.
No member will be disqualified from the AEC by having held previous office. Attention
will be paid to maintaining institutional continuity. In the case of the three external
members of the AEC, any reappointment procedure would require a renewed
nomination from the relevant nominating body.
It is the responsibility of the Chair to ensure all members of the AEC are fully prepared for
their role on the Committee.
Part VI: AEC Procedures
a) The AEC will meet at least four times each year, but more frequently if required or if
any member of the AEC requests a meeting to discuss any issue of concern. The
Chair will notify AEC members in writing when a meeting is to be called.
b) A quorum will be four members and must include at least two extramural members. All
decisions will be by consensus. In reaching their decisions the AEC will employ the
"harm/benefit" analysis outlined in the User’s Guide to Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act
1999 (MAF Policy Information Paper 33) (PDF).
c) The University will provide secretarial assistance to the AEC through the office of the
DVC(R and I).
d) The Chair will be responsible for AEC meetings and operational procedures after
formal approval by the AEC. These procedures will be updated from time to time.
e) Generally AEC meetings will not be open to the public. The Vice-Chancellor or his
nominee will advise on any possible requirements under the Official Information Act
1982 (New Zealand Legislation website) in consultation with the Chair of the AEC and
any other persons involved.
f)
The Chair of the AEC will write an annual report for the Vice-Chancellor and University
Council. This report will include:
 a list of present members of AEC;
 the number of applications processed;
 difficulties encountered;
 any complaints received; and
 confirmation that Animal Usage Statistics were forwarded to the MPI,
according to the AEC's statutory obligations.
g) All information will be stored securely for a period of not less than 10 years. Access to
this information will only be with the approval of the AEC Chair or the Vice-Chancellor.
h) Complaints procedures to deal fairly and promptly with complaints by applicants, AEC
members, other members of the University and the public will be set up by the Chair.
Complaints procedures are outlined in Appendix 2.
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i)
A member of the AEC that is also an applicant is deemed to have a conflict of interest
and must abstain from any vote on approval of his/her application, though at the
discretion of the AEC, he/she may participate in discussions of the application.
j)
Applicants seeking amendments to approved protocols are required to submit a
Protocol Amendment Form. The form is circulated to the AEC and subject to the same
processes of evaluation and approval as new protocol applications.
k) The Vice-Chancellor may institute an audit of the AEC at any time.
Part VII: Approval of Applications by the AEC
The AEC will be responsible for preparation of the application form required for the
approval process. On-going responsibilities of applicants will be clearly outlined on this
form requiring their signature. These obligations include the keeping of detailed records of
the species and numbers and sources of animals used, the approved manipulations to
which they were exposed, and the animal's subsequent fate. This should indicate whether
the animal died, was killed or released or was retained.
This information shall form the basis of the University’s annual return to the MPI, and it is
an obligation on the experimenter to make this information available. In the application all
applicants must sign to indicate that they have read this document. Prior to final approval,
all applicants must also successfully pass a written exam on their knowledge of this
document and of the use of animals in research, testing and teaching.
Part VIII: Monitoring and Compliance
The AEC will ensure that adequate processes are set up and documented to monitor the
activities of research and teaching personnel in relation to conditions of project approvals.
Site visits by the AEC to animal facilities will be made at six monthly intervals.
The University Veterinarian will also visit animal accommodation from time to time to
confirm that all animal husbandry conforms with recognised animal welfare standards and
practices.
The AEC will suspend the use of animals by a researcher if it is found that animal welfare
is jeopardized or protocols are being conducted in breach of the approvals granted.
Part IX: Corrective Action
a) The AEC holds the power to direct that any procedure, whether approved or not, be
stopped or modified on ethical grounds. The AEC can also direct that animals be
properly cared for and if appropriate, euthanised.
b) All University staff concerned with a project have a responsibility to inform the AEC
and take corrective action in any instance where animal welfare is a concern.
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c) The AEC will investigate suspected or alleged non-compliance with this document. If
transgression is evident the Chair of the AEC will give formal written notification to the
person involved and their supervisor. The Chair acting on behalf of the AEC may insist
that work be stopped.
d) Disciplinary action for non-compliance with this document will be in accordance with
the University’s Discipline Regulations (University Regulations website) and the
Animal Welfare Act 1999 (New Zealand Legislation website).
e) Where a conflict of opinion arises within the AEC that cannot be resolved, AEC
members will seek advice from the National Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) (MPI
website) or the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) (MPI website).
Part X: Parenting Arrangements
The AEC has no on-going parenting arrangements as a matter of policy.
Part XI: Information Management
A person with appropriate skills will be employed as AEC secretary to ensure all AEC
minutes, proceedings, decisions and operations are recorded, stored and maintained in a
satisfactory manner.
Part XII: Animal Facilities and Practices
Procedures and policies will be put in place to ensure that animal facilities and practices
are in accordance with good practice and scientific knowledge, such as that provided in
the NAEAC’s Good Practice Guide for the Use of Animals in Research, Testing and
Teaching (PDF, 491KB). These will include:
a) Proper maintenance of animals including:

provision of food and water;

humane containment;

adequate facilities for rest and sleep; and

where appropriate, opportunities to socialise with others of their species.
b) Training for those responsible for routine care in:

husbandry;

methods of restraint;

recognising signs of ill health; and

maintaining sanitary conditions.
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c) Careful planning of experiments and manipulations to ensure minimum numbers of
animals are used in line with the objectives of the experiment. The University is
committed to the concept of the “3 Rs”; Reduction, Replacement and Refinement.
d) Pain and anaesthesia: In every case the experimenter will take all practical steps to
minimise stress and pain to the animal. All anaesthetic practice shall conform to
normal veterinary standards. Where recovery from anaesthesia is necessary,
appropriate post-operative measures shall be taken to minimise pain and discomfort in
the animals.
Where an animal is evidently in severe pain it will be euthanised.
Where recovery from anaesthesia is not intended, the animal shall be killed in a
humane manner at the conclusion of the experiment. Where appropriate,
experimenters must receive training in the use of anaesthetics and the administration
of pain relief prior to the start of experiments. Dietary manipulations must not involve
significant suffering of the animal concerned. The use of all drugs, including
anaesthetics, must be approved by the University Veterinarian and their use and
disposal subject to monitoring and supervision by a departmental Drug Control Officer.
e) Intact healthy animals should be returned to their natural habitat wherever practicable.
Part XIII: Training
The Chair of the AEC is responsible for the training of AEC members by:

interaction with University staff;

providing new members with a NAEAC induction pack;

referring AEC members to appropriate literature, including relevant NAEAC and
ANZCCART publications, and by providing access to University libraries;

encouraging attendance at conferences, workshops, meetings, etc.;

facilitating contact with outside experts; and

encouraging attendance at appropriate conferences.
The Chair of the AEC is responsible for the education of University staff and students on
ethical matters relating to animal use in experimental procedures through:

training programme/s provided online by the AEC;

the requirement for all applicants to pass an exam on animal use before approval is
granted;

personal contact with staff by AEC members;

written comments by AEC members; and

circulation of appropriate literature to concerned departments and individuals.
Part XIV: Complaints Procedure
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a) Procedures and policies will be set in place to ensure complaints from AEC members
are dealt with promptly and fairly. These are detailed in Appendix 2.

The Chair of the AEC shall have the power to immediately suspend or terminate
any experiment or series of experiments or any manipulation where the Chair
considers that the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (New Zealand Legislation website) is
in danger of being breached.
b) Any member of the University whose work is so suspended shall have the right to
appeal within 28 days to the full AEC.
This is to certify that the University undertakes to conform to all the requirements of the
Animal Welfare Act 1999 (New Zealand Legislation website) and will ensure that all
persons involved in the animal manipulations and carrying out of these activities are
appropriate persons according to that Act. It is accepted that the University is also
responsible for distributing information on the requirements of the Act to the AEC to help
ensure that the AEC follows the requirements of the law.
Related Documents and Information
Legislation

Animal Welfare Act 1999 (New Zealand Legislation website),

Official Information Act 1982 (New Zealand Legislation website)
Regulations

Discipline Regulations (University Regulations website)
UC Policy Library

Academic Appeals and Grievances Principles and Procedures (PDF, 798KB)
UC Website and Intranet

Application for Amendments to Approved Protocols (Research and Innovation intranet)

Application for Use of Animals in Research and/or Teaching (University Research and
Innovation website)

Online Exam for Animal Ethics Training (University Research and Innovation intranet)

Online Training Manual for Use of Animals in Research, Testing and Teaching
(University Research and Innovation intranet)
External

Department of Conservation (DOC) (DOC website)
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
Good Practice Guide for the Use of Animals in Research, Testing and Teaching (PDF,
491KB)

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) (MPI website)

National Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) (MPI website)

National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) (MPI website)

User’s Guide to Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 (MAF Policy Information Paper
33) (PDF)
All of the forms listed above and the Animal Ethics training manual can be accessed by
clicking on the links above and are also available at the Research Office website or directly
from the AEC secretary. The forms will be updated by the Animal Ethics Committee as
required.
Appendices

Appendix 1: AEC Operational Guidelines

Appendix 2: Complaints Procedures

Appendix 3: Application for Use of Animals in Research

Appendix 4: Application for Use of Animals in Teaching

Appendix 5: Application for Amendment to Approved Protocols

Appendix 6: Final Report on Project to Animal Ethics Committee
Document History and Version Control Table
Version Action
Approval Authority Action Date
For document history and versioning prior to 2013 contact [email protected]
1.00
Minor amendments to formatting
Policy Unit
Sep 2013
1.01
Updated hyperlinks. Converted document Policy Unit
Oct 2013
to new template. Updated appendices
1.02
Hyperlinks updated.
Policy Unit
Jun 2014
1.03
A/A title updated to Deputy VicePolicy Unit
Mar 2017
Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
(DVC(R and I)).
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Appendix 1
Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)
Operational Guidelines
Contents
1.
2.
3.
Submission and Review of Experimental Protocols
Document Control and Records
Surveillance
1. Submission and Review of Experimental Protocols
a) Protocols are submitted to the AEC Secretary on the prescribed form (see Forms).
b) Only University staff, or Post-graduate students in conjunction with their supervisors,
may submit applications.
c) Copies of the submitted protocols are sent to all AEC members together with a cover
sheet, which each AEC member fills in and signs after considering the application. The
comments made by committee members are forwarded to the applicant for a response.
d) Any further information required of the applicant and received in response to comments
made by one or more members of the AEC is sent to all AEC members for further
consideration and to offer advice to the Chair.
e) All projects graded B or higher are automatically considered at a meeting called by the
Chair. All projects graded O or A may be approved between meetings but are
discussed retrospectively at the next meeting, unless a member of the AEC requests a
meeting before approval is granted.
f) The Chair will sign off the protocol or refer the matter back to the AEC for further
consideration.
g) Applicants’ answers to questions will be circulated to committee members.
h) On request by any member of the committee a meeting of the committee can be called.
i) Applicants must be prepared to appear in person before the AEC to justify and explain
their protocols.
j) After approval, any amendments to protocols will require submission of the form
Application for Amendments to Approved Protocols. Amendment applications are
circulated to all members of the AEC for feedback and approval. Amendments that are
graded B or higher will require automatic consideration at a meeting called by the
Chair. Minor amendments and those graded O or A may be approved by the Chair
between meetings but discussed retrospectively at the next meeting.
k) Animal use statistics are required annually and must be forwarded to the AEC
Secretary by each protocol holder through their departmental office.
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l) The AEC may co-opt additional non-voting members on a temporary basis when it
requires that person’s specialist knowledge.
m) Applicants must submit a report to the AEC at the end of their project using the form
Final Report on Project to AEC.
2. Document Control and Records
a) All protocols are labelled by year and numbered consecutively as they are received.
Each is then classified as “R” for Research or “T” for Teaching. e.g. 2007/04R is the 4th
application received in 2007 and involves Research rather than Teaching.
b) The University maintains a complete record of all protocols, exams, approvals, and
amendments etc. for not less than 10 years.
c) The University AEC maintains a complete record of minutes, correspondence and
reports.
d) Matters relating to the AEC are confidential to the committee and members are to keep
all documents in a secure place.
e) No documentation except Animal Use Statistics is to be released unless approved by
the University after discussion with the Chair of the AEC.
f) All requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (New Zealand
Legislation website) are to be addressed to the Registrar of the University.
3. Surveillance
a) The University has a policy of both University and individual responsibility to ensure all
work involving manipulation of animals conforms to the CEC.
b) All people carrying out manipulations on animals are required to notify the AEC
immediately of any untoward or unexpected reaction or deaths during experimental
procedures.
c) The AEC or its nominee has the authority to inspect animals, their accommodation, or
experimental records at any time to be sure that procedures are being properly carried
out.
d) The AEC will visit all animal facilities at the University every six months. The University
Veterinarian also independently visits and inspects animal facilities.
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Appendix 2
Complaints Procedures
a) Complaints received by the AEC may involve concerns about: animal suffering and
welfare, decisions made by the AEC, or about personnel. Complaints against
personnel may be directed towards researchers, teachers, students or members of the
AEC, including the Chair.
b) Complaints are considered to be either Emergency or Non-emergency. Complaints
considered an emergency are those in which animal welfare is jeopardized and the
situation must be resolved immediately. Non-emergency complaints are all other
complaints in which animal welfare is not immediately compromised.
Dealing with Complaints Categorized as Emergencies
i.
Complaints considered emergencies are defined as those in which animal welfare is
jeopardized. This may be the result of inadequate care of the animal such that the
animal no longer meets the criteria of BAR (bright, alert and responsive) in situations in
which it would be expected, or when an animal is being subjected to protocols not
approved by the AEC. In some cases, previously approved protocols may lead to
unanticipated levels of suffering that may require a new reassessment by the AEC.
ii. All emergency complaints are to be directed to the Chair of the AEC (or to the Deputy
Chair in her/his absence).
iii. The Chair (and one other member of the AEC) will then immediately investigate the
complaint, which may include an unannounced visit to the animal facility in question to
make an assessment. If the situation is considered to have placed animal welfare in
jeopardy, an immediate cessation to further work may be issued and only reinstated
upon further consideration of the AEC.
iv. The Chair will report to the AEC the outcome of the emergency complaint for further
action if warranted. Reinstatement of suspended protocols will occur upon
consideration of the AEC. The AEC may also consider whether Disciplinary measures
are required. Such a process would follow the Discipline Regulations (University
Regulations website).
Dealing with Complaints Categorised as Non-emergencies
i. Complaints considered as non-emergencies are defined as those in which animal
welfare is not jeopardized. This may include complaints against decisions made by the
AEC or personnel, including members of the AEC. One likely example is the refusal of
the AEC to sanction an application and the applicant lodges a formal complaint.
ii. All non-emergency complaints are to be directed to the Chair (or to the Deputy Chair in
her/his absence). A meeting of the AEC will then be arranged to address the formal
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complaint. The person filing the complaint may be asked to attend the meeting in part
to address the AEC and to discuss the source of disagreement.
iii. Complaints against the Chair should be directed to the University’s Grievances and
Academic Processes Coordinator, in accordance with the Academic Appeals and
Grievances Principles and Procedures (PDF, 798KB)
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APPENDIX 3
No:
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
APPLICATION FOR USE OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH
[Form revised October 2012]
[Application form for use of animal in research 2013v.1]
This form is required for all experimental work, capture, containment and obtrusive observational work
on animals. The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is required to minimise the use of animals as well as
reduce, avoid, or ameliorate the pain, suffering, and death of animals used in Teaching and Research
at the University of Canterbury. Applicants are advised to refer to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and
Animal (Records and Statistics) Regulations 1999. This form must be written in language that is
understandable to the entire Animal Ethics Committee, including the lay members of the committee.
“Animals” means:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
any live mammal including a marine mammal (but does not include human being);
any live bird;
any live reptile or amphibian;
any live fish, octopus, squid, crab, lobster, or crayfish;
any other animal that is declared by the Governor-General by Order in Council.
Please send NINE PAPER COPIES and ONE ELECTRONIC COPY of the completed form, signed
by the applicant and supervisor and the Head of Department, and any relevant documentation to
the Secretary of the Animal Ethics Committee ([email protected]).
I(We) the undersigned have read and understood the Code of Ethical Conduct and the
appendices under which the University of Canterbury Animal Ethics Committee operates.
All applicants must also successfully complete an on-line exam on the use of Animals in
Research, Testing, and Teaching. A study manual and copy of the exam are available on
the Animal Ethics webpage or by contacting the Secretary of the AEC directly.
If the application is approved I (We) agree to
(i)
If a protocol needs to be changed an application for Amendment to Approved Protocols
(available from AEC webpage or secretary) will be resubmitted to the Animal Ethics
Committee for their approval.
(ii)
Inform the AEC immediately in writing if unanticipated problems eventuate that could be
an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
(iii)
Furnish annual returns to my Departmental Representative on the Animal Use Statistics
form. These records are to be retained by the University for ten years after the year to
which they relate. The Department will be contacted by the Secretary of the Animal
Ethics Committee when these statistics are required for collation and reporting to MPI.
(iv) Obtain approval from DOC, Ngai Tahu or other iwi as appropriate if the work involves
protected indigenous species
(v)
Complete a final report upon completion of the project using the Final Report on Project
form available from the AEC webpage or secretary.
Please note that in some circumstances applicants may be required to appear before the AEC to
answer questions.
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Signature of applicant(s):
Date:
Signature of supervisor:
Date:
HOD Support: Signature of the Head of Department:
Date:
Office use: Date received:
Date approved/declined:
PLEASE REFER TO THE DOCUMENT ENTITLED “GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETING AN
APPLICATION FOR USE OF ANIMALS IN RESEARCH” FOR ADVICE ON FILLING IN THIS
APPLICATION.
1
Name(s) of applicant(s):
Level of Study/Degree Sought:
Contact address:
Phone:
Email:
Supervisor’s Name(s):
Position(s):
Contact Phone:
Email:
2
Title of project:
3
Lay summary:
Please provide a LAY summary (300 words or less) of the proposed research using nontechnical language (include a glossary of any technical terms that must be included). This
purpose must be understandable to anyone, inside or outside the University. Proposals
without an appropriate lay summary cannot be approved.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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4
Purpose of the Research
a) What is the scientific reason(s) for this work?
b) If your project repeats a similar project/publication please explain why this needs to be
repeated?
c) How will the results be used (e.g. thesis, publication, teaching)?
5
Number and Species to be used:
Number
Species
6.
Provide a justification for the number of animals needed for your study (e.g., explain
the number of treatment and control groups, how many animals are in each group,
and how you arrived at these numbers; when appropriate use power analyses or
statistical calculations to estimate sample sizes required).
7.
Explain how you have attempted to reduce the number of animals, replace the use of
animals with other methods, and refine your experiments to gain additional
information in the planning of this work. This is the 3R's of animal ethics and each
point needs to be carefully considered and addressed.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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a) Reduce:
b) Replace:
c) Refine:
8.
Describe the procedure(s) requiring approval from the Animal Ethics Committee. If
more than one procedure is proposed, please list the procedures and describe each
one.
9.
The procedures described above will be conducted by (tick any as appropriate):
_____ The applicant(s)
_____ Research assistants employed by the University
_____ Qualified animal technicians employed by the University
_____ Other (give name)
Note that all additional personnel involved in the project must have appropriate
training in the proposed procedures and be supervised by the applicant(s).
10.
For each of the procedures listed in part 8, indicate its likely severity according to
the following scale (taking into account the effect of any anaesthetic, analgesic,
euthanasia technique, or other strategy or practice that is applied or used, or any other step
taken, to avoid or alleviate the stress or pain caused to the animal). Use the table to list
each procedure and its grading (add more rows for additional procedures). Please consult
the attached appendix to assess the impact grades.
The grading scale is:
No impact
A (a manipulation of no or virtually no impact)
Little impact
B (a manipulation of minor impact and short duration)
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Moderate impact
High impact
Very high impact
Procedure
C (a manipulation of minor impact and long duration or moderate
impact and short duration)
D (a manipulation of moderate impact and long duration or high
impact and short duration)
E (a manipulation of high impact and long duration)
Impact grading
11.
Describe why alternative methods (non-invasive, not involving the death of an
animal, etc) are not available, or suitable:
12.
All studies should have an endpoint, or a series of conditions (e.g. time an animal is
subjected to a treatment) under which the animal will no longer be subjected to a
protocol and you consider the experiment completed. What are the endpoints of
your study for each of the procedures listed in part 8?
13.
Where are the animals to be held and the experiments performed?
14.
List the relevant qualifications and experience of applicants (and other personnel as
listed in part 9) for carrying out the procedures listed in part 8:
15.
If applicable give details of anaesthetic procedure and post-operative care and/or
method of euthanasia. Include information on choice of anaesthetic, dose rate, how
anaesthetics will be administered, methods of maintaining sterility, monitoring of
animal during and post anaesthesia and procedures for dealing with any potential
complications.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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16.
What will happen to the animals once the project has been completed?
17.
Start date of project:
Completion date of project:
Applicants are reminded that any amendments to approved protocols (including extension to date
of completion must be approved by the Animal Ethics Committee.
______________________________________________________________________________
Approval:
Approved (Chair, Animal Ethics Committee)
Date:
Any Special conditions applying:
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Appendix: NAEAC Impact grades
The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) requires the following grading scale.
Please record the grade of each manipulation. Where an animal is used in more than one
manipulation, please grade the animal by the cumulative impact of the proposed protocols. NAEAC
examples by category are listed below.
Grade A: No impact or virtually no impact
Mental state: Field observations of grazing behaviour on farms, or benign handling of tame and trained
animals that are familiar with all personnel and procedures and with the place where the procedures are
conducted.
Food/water: Animals kept outdoors eating their usual food in appropriate amounts; grazing trials on treated
pastures; offering supplements to naturally available food; provision of complete, balanced rations to meet all
nutritional requirements of animals maintained indoors.
Environmental challenge: Exposure to ambient conditions that are within the thermoneutral range; reduced
barometric pressure (or equivalent reductions in oxygen concentration) which do not cause increases in red
blood cell production.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of healthy uninjured animals that are kept in physical
conditions which do not themselves lead to injuries such as lameness or compression sores; studies to
establish normal characteristics of healthy animals.
Behaviour: Studies of wild or undomesticated animals in their natural habitats; field studies of domesticated
animals.
Grade B: Little impact; Manipulations of minor impact and short duration
Mental state: Experiments on completely anaesthetised animals that do not regain consciousness; simple
venepuncture or venisection; injection of non-toxic substances; skin tests which cause low-level irritation
without ulceration/erosion; feeding trained animals by orogastric tube; movement of free-range domesticated
animals to unfamiliar housing; minor restrictions of water and/or feed intake beyond the normal period of
satiation.
Food/water: Water priming for kidney function tests; short-term overall food intake restrictions or excesses
that are within usual tolerance levels for the species; short-term changes in dietary composition that cause
no clinical signs of deficiency or toxicity, but which would cause such symptoms in the longer term.
Environmental challenge: Exposure to levels of cold or heat that are outside the thermoneutral range, or
barometric pressures (or equivalent reductions in oxygen concentration) that increase red blood cell
production, but which remain within the capacity of the animals to adapt and do not lead to debility in the
long term.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of vaccines using killed pathogens; tuberculosis tests;
induction of mild fever without other debilitating effects; induction of subclinical parasitism; healing of minor
superficial incisions, cuts or wounds; minor surgical and/or pharmacological modification of homeostatic
capacity (for example, creation of non‐obstructive gut fistulae; splenectomy; endocrine gland removal with
complete and permanent hormone replacement therapy); physical conditions which cause transient
lameness of low intensity, mild compression sores or abrasions.
Behaviour: Mild and short‐term physical restraint; keeping free‐range domesticated animals in a yard;
movement of free‐range domesticated livestock to unfamiliar housing; operant conditioning with positive
reinforcement in barren laboratory environments; benign preference tests in unnatural surroundings.
Grade C: Moderate impact; Manipulations of minor impact and long duration or
moderate impact and short duration
Mental state: Recovery from major surgeries like thoracotomy, orthopaedic procedures, hysterectomy or gall
bladder removal with effective use of analgesics; surgical procedures on conscious animals but with the use
of local anaesthesia and systemic analgesic; movement of excitable free‐range domesticated livestock to
unfamiliar housing; short‐term capture, handling and restraint of wild or semi‐domesticated animals that
exhibit marked flight responses; moderate restrictions of water and/or feed intake beyond the normal period
of satiation.
Food/water: Simulation of usual overall intake restrictions often experienced by pregnant/lactating ruminants
during cold winters or drought; dietary induction of milk fever in cattle; induction of mild deficiency or toxicity
signs by feeding diets containing inadequate or excessive amounts of essential nutrients.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Environmental challenge: Short‐term exposure to severe extremes of cold or heat or barometric pressure
(oxygen concentration) which would lead to collapse if prolonged.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies involving the induction of clinical parasitism; induction of mild
reversible infectious diarrhoea; moderate surgical and/or pharmacological modification to homeostatic
capacity (for example, limited gut resection; endocrine gland removal with delayed or incomplete hormone
replacement therapy); physical conditions that cause minor chronic lameness or other injuries; studies of the
effects of infectious or toxic agents that cause rapid death without distress.
Behaviour: Medium‐term restrictions of instinctive behaviour; medium‐term holding of ruminants in a
metabolism crate; long‐term restraint leading to the development of reversible stereotypies; changing social
group composition.
Grade D: High impact; manipulations of moderate impact and long duration or high
impact and short duration
Mental state: Recovery from major surgery under anaesthesia without the use of postoperative analgesics;
marked social or environmental deprivation; longer term capture, handling, restraint or housing, without the
use of tranquilisers, of wild or semidomesticated animals that exhibit marked flight responses.
Food/water: Dietary induction of advanced pregnancy toxaemia in sheep or ketosis in dairy cattle; dietary
induction of advanced signs of nutrient deficiency or excess; severe deleterious effects of dietary toxins;
severe restrictions of water and/or feed intake beyond the normal period of satiation.
Environmental challenge: Prolonged exposure to severe cold or heat or altered barometric pressure (oxygen
concentration) that would lead to failure of thermoregulation and collapse, but the exposure is terminated just
before those outcomes.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of severe facial eczema; induction of severe diarrhoea or
severe infectious pneumonia; protracted or irreversible pharmacological modification of homeostatic capacity
(for example, chemical induction of diabetes mellitus without replacement therapy); marked surgical
modification of homeostatic capacity (for example, extensive gut resection; cutting of sensory or motor
nerves serving large areas of the body from which no self‐mutilation injury results; precise lesioning of limited
areas of the brain but with intervention before collapse); physical conditions that cause moderate chronic
lameness or other injuries; studies of the effects of infectious and toxic agents that cause either a protracted
death with minor distress or a rapid death with moderate distress.
Behaviour: Application of marked and repeated noxious stimuli from which escape is impossible; prolonged
periods (several hours or more) of close physical restraint; marked alterations to the perceptual or motor
functions of animals to test consequent behaviour.
Grade E: Very high impact; manipulations of high impact and long duration
Mental state: Conducting major surgeries without the use of anaesthesia on control animals in assessing
efficacy of analgesics; testing the efficacy of analgesics in animals with severe induced pain.
Food/water: Experiments that cause animals to die from poisoning by toxins in the diet; protracted and
severe restrictions on water and/or feed intake.
Environmental challenge: Purposeful exposure of conscious animals to lethal extremes of cold, heat or
barometric pressure which duplicate naturally occurring conditions.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of methods for killing pest animals; cutting of sensory or motor
nerves serving large areas of the body from which self‐mutilation injury results; evaluation of vaccines where
death is the measure of failure to protect; studies of the effects of infectious or toxic agents which cause
either a protracted death with marked distress or a rapid death with severe distress.
Behaviour: Application of marked and repeated extremely noxious stimuli from which escape is impossible;
prolonged periods (several hours or more) of close physical restraint.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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APPENDIX 4
No:
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
APPLICATION FOR USE OF ANIMALS IN TEACHING
[Form revised October 2012]
[Application form for use of animal in teaching 2013v.1]
This form is required for all experimental work, capture, containment and obtrusive observational work
on animals that will be used in teaching. The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is required to minimise
the use of animals as well as reduce, avoid, or ameliorate the pain, suffering, and death of animals
used in Teaching at the University of Canterbury. Applicants are advised to refer to the Animal Welfare
Act 1999 and Animal (Records and Statistics) Regulations 1999. This form must be written in language
that is understandable to the entire Animal Ethics Committee, including the lay members of the
committee.
“Animals” means:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(vi)
any live mammal including a marine mammal (but does not include human being);
any live bird;
any live reptile or amphibian;
any live fish, octopus, squid, crab, lobster, or crayfish;
any other animal that is declared by the Governor-General by Order in Council.
Please send NINE PAPER COPIES and ONE ELECTRONIC COPY of the completed form, signed
by the applicant and supervisor and the Head of Department, and any relevant documentation to
the Secretary of the Animal Ethics Committee ([email protected]).
I(We) the undersigned have read and understood the Code of Ethical Conduct and the
appendices under which the University of Canterbury Animal Ethics Committee operates.
All applicants must also successfully complete an on-line exam on the use of Animals in
Research, Testing, and Teaching. A study manual and copy of the exam are available on
the Animal Ethics webpage or by contacting the Secretary of the AEC directly.
If the application is approved I (We) agree to
(i)
If a protocol needs to be changed an application for Amendment to Approved Protocols
(available from AEC webpage or secretary) will be resubmitted to the Animal Ethics
Committee for their approval.
(ii)
Inform the AEC immediately in writing if unanticipated problems eventuate that could be
an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
(iii) Furnish annual returns to my Departmental Representative on the Animal Use Statistics
form. These records are to be retained by the University for ten years after the year to
which they relate. The Department will be contacted by the Secretary of the Animal
Ethics Committee when these statistics are required for collation and reporting to MPI.
(iv) Obtain approval from DOC, Ngai Tahu or other iwi as appropriate if the work involves
protected indigenous species
Please note that in some circumstances applicants may be required to appear before the AEC to
answer questions.
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Signature of applicant(s):
Date:
HOD Support: Signature of the Head of Department:
Date:
1.
Name(s) of applicant(s):
Position(s):
Department/School:
Contact Address:
Contact Phone:
Contact Email:
2.
Course title and number:
3.
Title of the exercise:
(please attach a copy of the lab hand-out and/or instructions to students)
4.
Number and Species to be used:
Number
Species
5.
Provide a justification for the number of animals needed for your teaching exercise
(e.g., explain the number of treatment and control groups, how many animals are in
each group, and how you arrived at these numbers).
6.
Explain how you have attempted to reduce the number of animals, replace the use of
animals with other methods, and refine your use of animals during the planning of
this teaching exercise. This is the 3R's of animal ethics and each point needs to be
carefully considered and addressed.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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7.
Describe the procedure(s) requiring approval from the Animal Ethics Committee. If
more than one procedure is proposed, please list the procedures and describe each
one.
8.
For each of the procedures listed in part 7, indicate its likely severity according to
the following scale (taking into account the effect of any anaesthetic, analgesic,
euthanasia technique, or other strategy or practice that is applied or used, or any other step
taken, to avoid or alleviate the stress or pain caused to the animal). Use the table to list
each procedure and its grading (add more rows for additional procedures). Please consult
the attached appendix to assess the impact grades.
The grading scale is:
No impact
A (a manipulation of no or virtually no impact)
Little impact
B (a manipulation of minor impact and short duration)
Moderate impact
C (a manipulation of minor impact and long duration or moderate
impact and short duration)
High impact
D (a manipulation of moderate impact and long duration or high
impact and short duration)
Very high impact
E (a manipulation of high impact and long duration)
Procedure
Impact grading
9.
The educational value of this exercise.
10.
Reasons why alternative methods (non-invasive, not involving the death of an
animal, etc.) are not available, or suitable:
______________________________________________________________________________________
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11.
Where are the animals to be held and the experiments performed?
12.
Relevant qualifications and experience of teachers/demonstrators:
13.
If applicable give details of anaesthetic procedure and post-operative care and/or
method of euthanasia. Include information on choice of anaesthetic, dose rate, how
anaesthetics will be administered, methods of maintaining sterility, monitoring of
animal during and post anaesthesia and procedures for dealing with any potential
complications.
14.
What will happen to the animals once the project has been completed?
15.
Start date of project:
Completion date of project:
Approved (Chair, Animal Ethics Committee):
Date:
Special conditions applying:
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Appendix: NAEAC Impact grades
The National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) requires the following grading scale.
Please record the grade of each manipulation. Where an animal is used in more than one
manipulation, please grade the animal by the cumulative impact of the proposed protocols. NAEAC
examples by category are listed below.
Grade A: No impact or virtually no impact
Mental state: Field observations of grazing behaviour on farms, or benign handling of tame and trained
animals that are familiar with all personnel and procedures and with the place where the procedures are
conducted.
Food/water: Animals kept outdoors eating their usual food in appropriate amounts; grazing trials on treated
pastures; offering supplements to naturally available food; provision of complete, balanced rations to meet all
nutritional requirements of animals maintained indoors.
Environmental challenge: Exposure to ambient conditions that are within the thermoneutral range; reduced
barometric pressure (or equivalent reductions in oxygen concentration) which do not cause increases in red
blood cell production.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of healthy uninjured animals that are kept in physical
conditions which do not themselves lead to injuries such as lameness or compression sores; studies to
establish normal characteristics of healthy animals.
Behaviour: Studies of wild or undomesticated animals in their natural habitats; field studies of domesticated
animals.
Grade B: Little impact; Manipulations of minor impact and short duration
Mental state: Experiments on completely anaesthetised animals that do not regain consciousness; simple
venepuncture or venisection; injection of non-toxic substances; skin tests which cause low-level irritation
without ulceration/erosion; feeding trained animals by orogastric tube; movement of free-range domesticated
animals to unfamiliar housing; minor restrictions of water and/or feed intake beyond the normal period of
satiation.
Food/water: Water priming for kidney function tests; short-term overall food intake restrictions or excesses
that are within usual tolerance levels for the species; short-term changes in dietary composition that cause
no clinical signs of deficiency or toxicity, but which would cause such symptoms in the longer term.
Environmental challenge: Exposure to levels of cold or heat that are outside the thermoneutral range, or
barometric pressures (or equivalent reductions in oxygen concentration) that increase red blood cell
production, but which remain within the capacity of the animals to adapt and do not lead to debility in the
long term.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of vaccines using killed pathogens; tuberculosis tests;
induction of mild fever without other debilitating effects; induction of subclinical parasitism; healing of minor
superficial incisions, cuts or wounds; minor surgical and/or pharmacological modification of homeostatic
capacity (for example, creation of non‐obstructive gut fistulae; splenectomy; endocrine gland removal with
complete and permanent hormone replacement therapy); physical conditions which cause transient
lameness of low intensity, mild compression sores or abrasions.
Behaviour: Mild and short‐term physical restraint; keeping free‐range domesticated animals in a yard;
movement of free‐range domesticated livestock to unfamiliar housing; operant conditioning with positive
reinforcement in barren laboratory environments; benign preference tests in unnatural surroundings.
Grade C: Moderate impact; Manipulations of minor impact and long duration or
moderate impact and short duration
Mental state: Recovery from major surgeries like thoracotomy, orthopaedic procedures, hysterectomy or gall
bladder removal with effective use of analgesics; surgical procedures on conscious animals but with the use
of local anaesthesia and systemic analgesic; movement of excitable free‐range domesticated livestock to
unfamiliar housing; short‐term capture, handling and restraint of wild or semi‐domesticated animals that
exhibit marked flight responses; moderate restrictions of water and/or feed intake beyond the normal period
of satiation.
Food/water: Simulation of usual overall intake restrictions often experienced by pregnant/lactating ruminants
during cold winters or drought; dietary induction of milk fever in cattle; induction of mild deficiency or toxicity
signs by feeding diets containing inadequate or excessive amounts of essential nutrients.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Page 26 of 30
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Environmental challenge: Short‐term exposure to severe extremes of cold or heat or barometric pressure
(oxygen concentration) which would lead to collapse if prolonged.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies involving the induction of clinical parasitism; induction of mild
reversible infectious diarrhoea; moderate surgical and/or pharmacological modification to homeostatic
capacity (for example, limited gut resection; endocrine gland removal with delayed or incomplete hormone
replacement therapy); physical conditions that cause minor chronic lameness or other injuries; studies of the
effects of infectious or toxic agents that cause rapid death without distress.
Behaviour: Medium‐term restrictions of instinctive behaviour; medium‐term holding of ruminants in a
metabolism crate; long‐term restraint leading to the development of reversible stereotypies; changing social
group composition.
Grade D: High impact; manipulations of moderate impact and long duration or high
impact and short duration
Mental state: Recovery from major surgery under anaesthesia without the use of postoperative analgesics;
marked social or environmental deprivation; longer term capture, handling, restraint or housing, without the
use of tranquilisers, of wild or semidomesticated animals that exhibit marked flight responses.
Food/water: Dietary induction of advanced pregnancy toxaemia in sheep or ketosis in dairy cattle; dietary
induction of advanced signs of nutrient deficiency or excess; severe deleterious effects of dietary toxins;
severe restrictions of water and/or feed intake beyond the normal period of satiation.
Environmental challenge: Prolonged exposure to severe cold or heat or altered barometric pressure (oxygen
concentration) that would lead to failure of thermoregulation and collapse, but the exposure is terminated just
before those outcomes.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of severe facial eczema; induction of severe diarrhoea or
severe infectious pneumonia; protracted or irreversible pharmacological modification of homeostatic capacity
(for example, chemical induction of diabetes mellitus without replacement therapy); marked surgical
modification of homeostatic capacity (for example, extensive gut resection; cutting of sensory or motor
nerves serving large areas of the body from which no self‐mutilation injury results; precise lesioning of limited
areas of the brain but with intervention before collapse); physical conditions that cause moderate chronic
lameness or other injuries; studies of the effects of infectious and toxic agents that cause either a protracted
death with minor distress or a rapid death with moderate distress.
Behaviour: Application of marked and repeated noxious stimuli from which escape is impossible; prolonged
periods (several hours or more) of close physical restraint; marked alterations to the perceptual or motor
functions of animals to test consequent behaviour.
Grade E: Very high impact; manipulations of high impact and long duration
Mental state: Conducting major surgeries without the use of anaesthesia on control animals in assessing
efficacy of analgesics; testing the efficacy of analgesics in animals with severe induced pain.
Food/water: Experiments that cause animals to die from poisoning by toxins in the diet; protracted and
severe restrictions on water and/or feed intake.
Environmental challenge: Purposeful exposure of conscious animals to lethal extremes of cold, heat or
barometric pressure which duplicate naturally occurring conditions.
Disease/injury/functional impairment: Studies of methods for killing pest animals; cutting of sensory or motor
nerves serving large areas of the body from which self‐mutilation injury results; evaluation of vaccines where
death is the measure of failure to protect; studies of the effects of infectious or toxic agents which cause
either a protracted death with marked distress or a rapid death with severe distress.
Behaviour: Application of marked and repeated extremely noxious stimuli from which escape is impossible;
prolonged periods (several hours or more) of close physical restraint.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) Code of Ethical Conduct v. 1.03
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APPENDIX 5
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT TO APPROVED PROTOCOLS
[Form revised October 2012]
[Amendment application form 2013v.1]
This form is required for all proposed minor amendments to experimental work, capture,
containment and obtrusive observational work on animals that has already been approved by the
Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). New projects or substantial changes to previous applications
must submit a full application. Please submit this application along with your original application to
use animal in research (or teaching) in which the proposed amendments have been inserted and
highlighted. This is required so that the AEC is able to judge your proposed amendments in context
with the previously approved protocols. Applicants are reminded that the AEC is required to
minimise the use of animals as well as reduce, avoid, or ameliorate the pain, suffering, and death
of animals used in Teaching and Research at the University of Canterbury. Applicants are advised
to refer to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and Animal (Records and Statistics) Regulations 1999.
Please send a fully signed electronic copy of the completed form to the Secretary of the Animal
Ethics Committee.
Date:
AEC reference number for which amendments requested:
Name(s) of applicants:
Signature of applicants:
Department/School:
Email:
Telephone:
Title of application for which amendments requested:
Please describe changes requested to approved protocols:
a) Are additional animals to be used? If so, what is the number of additional animals to be
manipulated, and what is the total number for the entire project (i.e. number previously
approved plus the current number requested):
b) Describe the proposed changes to previously approved manipulations or new manipulation
requested. Please describe changes to proposed procedures including changes in
______________________________________________________________________________________
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equipment, duration of experiments, changes in diet, changes in surgical procedures, etc.
Please note that changes in the use of restricted drugs will require approval from the
University Veterinarian. Use as much space as required.
c) Describe the change in grading of suffering as a result of proposed change in manipulation.
List each procedure for which you are requesting changes in the table below and give both
the previous grading and new grading (add additional lines as needed):
The grading scale is:
No impact
A (a manipulation of no or virtually no impact)
Little impact
B (a manipulation of minor impact and short duration)
Moderate impact
C (a manipulation of minor impact and long duration or moderate
impact and short duration)
High impact
D (a manipulation of moderate impact and long duration or high
impact and short duration)
Very high impact
E (a manipulation of high impact and long duration)
Procedure
Previous New
grading
grading
d) What is the justification for the changes proposed in part b? Please provide justification for
changes to number of animals to be used as well as the scientific reasons for the proposed
changes in protocols described in part b:
e) Expected date of completion of amended project (please justify any changes from the
original completion date):
______________________________________________________________________________
Approval:
Amendments Approved (Chair, Animal Ethics Committee):
Date:
Any Special conditions applying:
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Once printed this document is considered an uncontrolled version. For the official, current version refer to the UC Policy Library.
UCPL-4-44
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
FINAL REPORT ON PROJECT TO ANIMAL ETHICS COMMITTEE
[Form created October 2007]
This form is required upon completion of all approved applications from the Animal Ethics
Committee (AEC) to work on animals. The purpose is to provide the AEC with a record of your use
of animals and what was achieved by your research project. We are very much interested in your
findings and to learn what you have achieved.
Please send an electronic copy of the completed form to the Secretary of the Animal Ethics
Committee – [email protected]
Name(s) of applicants:
Department/School:
Email:
AEC reference number of application:
Title of application:
1. What was the total number of animals used in your project?
2. Summarise (in lay terms) the main findings of your study and what you view as its
contribution to your discipline:
3. What outputs have resulted from this work (i.e., theses, publications, research seminars,
conference presentations, etc.).
Thank you for your cooperation.
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Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) Code of Ethical Conduct v. 1.03
Page 30 of 30
© This document is the property of the University of Canterbury.
Once printed this document is considered an uncontrolled version. For the official, current version refer to the UC Policy Library.