Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

APPENDIX F

EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF PERSONNEL UNDER THE ANIMALS (SCIENTIFIC PROCEDURES) ACT 1986

This Appendix reproduces an extract from the Report of the Animal Procedures Committee for 1992. It is a key background paper but one which has not been formally revised to date. The content and delivery of training has evolved. For example, accreditation is also provided by the Universities' Accreditation Scheme (paragraph 12); certificate holders must attest to the competence of those entrusted with the humane killing methods listed in Schedule 1; and modules 1 and 2 extend to the 3Rs and ethical review processes.

INTRODUCTION

1. The Home Office published a discussion document in 1991 on the appropriate education and training of those seeking licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The proposals received a very large measure of support and the Home Office is now in a position to set out its policy. It has not proved necessary to make substantial changes to the proposals set out in the discussion document. The present paper also advises on the training of those with administrative duties under the Act and of those performing non-regulated procedures on animals within designated establishments. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 imposes clear responsibilities on persons with specific roles in relation to the care and use of animals in laboratories. [......] As the roles differ, it follows that the education and training required before assuming these responsibilities will differ:

personal licence holders are responsible for the welfare of animals on which they carry out regulated procedures; applicants will be granted licences only if adequately trained to take on this responsibility, usually under supervision;
project licences will be issued only to persons properly able to direct a programme of work that is well-justified and takes account of all reasonable possibilities for reduction, refinement and replacement;
holders of certificates of designation have responsibility not only for ensuring that the fabric and staffing of designated places are maintained to appropriate standards but also for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised procedures being carried out and that adequate training facilities are available for all animal users.

2. Considerable progress has been made over recent years in providing appropriate training for those involved in research with animals. In the United Kingdom, great importance has been placed on 'on-the-job' training under the close supervision of those already expert in the field. The policy set out below in no way detracts from the need to maintain quality training and guidance after the issue of licences. Rather, it is intended to establish a sound foundation upon which such training can be more effectively built.

3. Training should be relevant to applicants' individual requirements and be provided at a time when animal work is being planned. Thus, programmes need to reflect the local needs of institutions and should be available at frequencies sufficient to meet the demands of the participants.

4. Effective assessment at the conclusion of the programme is required since it is the acquisition of knowledge and skills which matters and not simply attendance at a course.

PERSONAL LICENCE APPLICANTS

5. Applicants for personal licences after 1 April 1994 will be required to have successfully completed an accredited training programme comprising the subjects described in Modules 1 to 3 [......] and also those in Module 4 where appropriate to the techniques included in the licence application. Very limited exemptions from these requirements may be considered by the Home Office (see paragraphs 20-25 below).

6. The training requirements of former personal licensees who are applying for reinstatement of their licences will be determined by many factors including previous formal training and length of time away from use of animals in procedures. In general, anyone applying for a licence more than five years after relinquishing the previous licence should expect to undergo the full training programme. Where less than five years has elapsed, the training requirements should be discussed with the inspector.

7. Personal licensees seeking extension of authority from minor surgical procedures to major surgical procedures will be expected to complete Module 4 of the programme before application for such amendment.

8. Personal licensees seeking significant amendments to the species authorised on the licence which involve additional skills (eg extension from rodents to dogs or to farm animals) will be expected to undergo additional practical training as provided by the relevant parts of Modules 2, 3 and/or 4 before application for such amendment.

PROJECT LICENCE APPLICANTS

9. New applicants for project licences after 1 April 1995 will be required to have successfully completed at least Modules 1, 2 and 5 [......] and also Modules 3 and 4 when appropriate to the procedures to be carried out in the project. In most cases, project licence applicants will have held or still hold personal licences and therefore will only need to complete Module 5 prior to application for a project licence. There is merit in personal licence holders, who are likely to become project licence holders or deputies later in their career, completing Module 5 at any early stage, perhaps with a refresher course before application.

10. It is unlikely that persons who have never been personal licensees or who have very limited experience of animal science or animal welfare will be considered to have sufficient appropriate experience to hold a project licence.

ACCREDITATION

11. All training programmes for applicants for personal and project licences [......] should be accredited under a scheme recognised by the Home Office. Accreditation seeks to achieve common and high standards for licensee training which will facilitate free movement of licensees within UK and Europe as well as ensuring high standards in the use of animals for scientific procedures.

12. The Accreditations Scheme for training programmes for personnel working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, operated by the Institute of Biology, is currently recognised for this purpose.

OTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING EXPECTATIONS

13. Certificate holders and administrative staff involved with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 need to be familiar with the legal framework within which they carry out their duties. They should also have some awareness of the ethical issues involved in the use of animals for scientific purposes. Such personnel would derive considerable benefit from completing Module 1.

14. Appropriate training in more advanced techniques is strongly recommended when seeking major extensions to licence authorities. The Home Office inspector should be consulted about the need for further training in these circumstances.

15. Certificate holders of designated establishments should consider setting up mechanisms for updating licensees on a regular basis on development, for example, in laboratory animal science, animal welfare, anaesthesia, the law and ethics. Methods of reduction, refinement and replacement can also be addressed within such a system.

16. Certificate holders should note carefully their responsibility under the conditions of the certificate to ensure that a person competent to kill animals humanely is available. Those involved in killing animals by methods listed in Schedule 1 of the Act and others carrying out non-regulated procedures using live animals need to be aware of the ethical issues involved in the use of animals for scientific purposes. They need also to be familiar with good husbandry and handling practices and with local arrangements for matters such as security, animal acquisition, disposal and safety. Certificate holders could largely meet their responsibilities in these matters by requiring such personnel to complete Modules 1 and 2.

FURTHER INFORMATION

17. The syllabus set out below [......] is not exhaustive and course organisers should feel able to include any other topics which they consider relevant in the particular circumstances. The elements of each module are those which the Home Office believe to be necessary for the proper instruction of those who will be responsible for using animals in scientific procedures. The modular and practical nature of the training programme allows considerable flexibility in the planning of courses and training can be achieved in a variety of ways, via lectures, tutorials and discussions, videos, films and reading. Formal courses may be a convenient way of achieving the necessary objectives, but may not provide the flexibility necessary in some situations.

18. The importance of practical experience within the training programme needs to be emphasised. As this experience precedes the granting of a licence, it must be limited to basic handling, husbandry and non-regulated procedures.

19. Organisers of training programmes may wish to consult the Named Veterinary Surgeon and (Named Animal Care & Welfare Officer) in the establishment during the development of their programmes. Home Office inspectors are available to offer any further advice required.

EXEMPTIONS FROM MANDATORY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

20. All exemptions are discretionary on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed with the inspector before application for a licence is made. The following examples indicate the types of circumstances in which exemptions will be considered.

(A) Personal Licence Applicants

21. Exemption from all training requirements will be considered only for those persons with formal training in laboratory animal science; for example, holders of the Certificate or Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the MSc in Laboratory Animal Science of the University of London or the Associateship or Fellowship of the Institute of Animal Technology.

22. Completion of Module 1 only will be considered:

for applicants for personal licences valid only for practical work on a microsurgery training course, the licence to be surrendered immediately upon completion of the course. The contents of this module may be incorporated into the micro-surgery training course itself;
for veterinary surgeons with practical experience of the relevant species;
for animal technicians highly experienced with the relevant species;
for holders of qualifications in laboratory science from outside the UK. They will be expected to complete Module 1 to ensure familiarity with UK law.

23. Completion of Modules 1 and 2 only will be considered:

for applicants for very limited species and techniques (eg one species, oral dosing only);
for undergraduates who will be under close supervision and with limited authorities; the contents of these modules may be integrated into the undergraduate course;
for experienced overseas researchers.

24. Completion of Modules 1 and 3 only will be considered:

for applicants with extensive experience of the relevant species.

(B) Project Licence Applicants

25. Project licence applicants who already hold (or have recently held) a project licence will not normally be expected to undertake further training.

Annex to Appendix F

Module 1

1. Historical background

Legislation and attitudes to animals and animal welfare in the United Kingdom

2. An introduction to ethical aspects of the use of animals in scientific procedures

3. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

The Certificate of Designation
The Project Licence
The Personal Licence
Schedule 1
Schedule 2
Home Office Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Home Office Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals used in Scientific Procedures
Other codes of Practice and Guidelines

4. Other relevant legislation

Module 2

1. Recognition of wellbeing, pain, suffering or distress

in the relevant species

2. Handling and restraint

of the relevant species

3. Humane methods of killing

appropriate to the relevant species

4. Local procedures

Security
Administration
Supply of animals
Disposal of animals

5. Personal Health and Safety

Module 3

1. Biology and husbandry

of the relevant species

2. Common diseases and recognition

in the relevant species

3. Health monitoring and disease prevention or control

General principles
Principles of gnotobiology
Local practices and procedures

4. Introduction to anaesthesia and analgesia

in the relevant species

5. Conduct of minor procedures

in the relevant species
Common methods of dosing
Common methods of sampling
Minor procedures not requiring sedation, analgesia or general anaesthesia
Other minor procedures involving sedation, analgesia or brief general anaesthesia

Module 4

1. Surgical anaesthesia and analgesia

2. Conduct of surgical procedures