Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence
A Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence authorises the use of premises or locations that are not to be ordinarily used by the licence holder for Scientific Procedures (i.e. that are not to be used as Scientific Premises). Examples might include the use of production animals on farms, the intermittent use of Scientific Premises licensed under a Scientific Procedures Premises Licence held by another institution, or the use of non-captive animals in the wild.
Procedures, personnel, and location(s) must be agreed to by the nominated Animal Ethics Committee and standards appropriate to the level of use must be maintained. The licence holder must ensure that DEDJTR is notified of Fieldwork after approval by the AEC and prior to commencement of any Scientific Procedures (fieldwork notification forms are available on the Forms page).
The Licence Nominee
A person must be nominated to be responsible to the licence holder for procedures under a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence - the "Licence Nominee". The Licence Nominee is the first point of contact for DEDJTR as the licensing authority, and will be corresponded with on all matters relating to the licence, such as breaches of licence conditions, licence audits, reporting of animal use, and Animal Ethics Committee composition and conduct. This person must hold a position in the licensed institution such that they are familiar with the work being conducted, yet senior enough to be able to effect change where necessary.
Breeding
Breeding of Specified Animals may not be not authorised by a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence.
Other licence conditions
All practices carried-out under the licence must be in compliance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Australian Code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, the Victorian Code of practice for the housing and care of laboratory mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits, and the Code of practice for the use of animals from municipal pounds in scientific procedures. Full details of the Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence conditions may be found under Regulation 95 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008. These conditions will also be listed on the licence. Extensive penalties are provided for under the Act on conviction of natural persons or bodies corporate that breach licence conditions.
Forms
Forms are available on the Forms page to
- to apply for or to apply to renew a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence
- to apply to vary the Licence Nominee, AEC members, or to notify changes of other licence details
