UTAS Animal Ethics Committee – Executive
Terms of Reference
The Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8 th edition 2013
(2.2.23) states: If established, an AEC Executive must include at least one member from
Category C or D and may be delegated to approve minor amendments to approved projects
or activities, for ratification at the next AEC meeting. The AEC should provide guidance on
the type of activity that would be a minor amendment. A minor may include a change to an
approved project or activity where the proposed change is not likely to cause harm to the
animals, including pain and distress
The UTAS AEC Executive has been established to streamline the animal ethics process, to
increase the efficiency and to reduce workload of the AEC thus allowing additional time for
discussion of ethical considerations.
The role of the Executive is to review responses to requested revisions on applications and
modifications as guided by the AEC. These reviews are noted by the committee at the
following meeting. The Executive can also approve minor and straightforward modifications
to previously approved protocols where the proposed change is not likely to cause harm to
the animals. Urgent modifications can be considered out-of- session depending on the
advice of the AWO and the Chair. In some cases the urgent modification may need to be
circulated to the full committee via email. These decisions must be ratified by the entire
UTAS AEC at the next meeting.
The UTAS AEC Executive currently consists of the Chair and a representative from Category
C. The Animal Welfare Officer is attends the AEC Executive in the capacity of an Adviser only.
When particular expertise is required, another AEC member is co-opted onto the Executive
accordingly.
At the beginning of each year, the AEC appoints (by nomination) representatives from its
members to form the Executive.
November 2013