Animal Research Act 1985

An animal research authority shall—

be in or to the effect of the approved form,

identify the person who issued the authority,

identify the person to whom the authority is issued,

designate the land in or on which it is intended that the business of animal research will be carried on by the person,

describe the kind of animal research which the authority authorises the person to carry out and the research project in connection with which the person is authorised to carry out animal research,

specify the animal care and ethics committee under whose supervision the individual is authorised to carry out animal research,

specify any conditions to which the authority is subject, and

specify the date on which the authority is issued.

An animal research authority shall not authorise, or purport to authorise, the carrying out of animal research otherwise than—

with the approval, and in accordance with the directions, of the animal care and ethics committee specified in the authority,

in accordance with the Code of Practice,

for a recognised research purpose, and

in connection with animals (other than exempt animals) that have been obtained from the holder of an animal supplier’s licence.

An animal research authority must not authorise, or purport to authorise, the carrying out of—

a forced smoke inhalation experiment, or

a forced swim test.

Without limiting subsection (2), an animal research authority shall not authorise, or purport to authorise, the carrying out of the LD50 test for the purpose of product testing, or the carrying out of the Draize test, except with the approval, and in accordance with the directions, of the animal care and ethics committee specified in the authority, given in accordance with subsection (4).

An animal care and ethics committee shall not approve the carrying out, by the holder of an animal research authority, of—

the LD50 test for the purpose of product testing, except with the concurrence of the Minister, given on a recommendation for concurrence by the Panel, to the carrying out of the test for that purpose, or

the Draize test, unless the test is to be carried out for the sole purpose of establishing that prophylactic or therapeutic materials or substances ordinarily intended for use by application to the eye are not irritants to the eye.

An application for the concurrence of the Minister under this section shall be made by the holder of the animal research authority in the form and manner determined by the Secretary.

The Minister shall refer the application to the Panel which shall, as soon as practicable, recommend to the Minister whether concurrence should be granted, unconditionally or subject to conditions, or refused.

In considering the application, the Minister and the Panel shall have regard to the Code of Practice.

The Minister may grant concurrence under subsection (4) unconditionally or subject to conditions and may impose conditions in addition to any recommended by the Panel.