Animal Welfare & Ethical Review Body

The revised (AWERB Process) ensures that the University continues to consider the use of animals used for or destined for use in Scientific Procedures, and to regularly review the points set out in section 10. Animal Welfare and Ethical Review bodies (AWERBs) of the Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

The key objectives of AWERB (ASPA Schedule 2C, Part 1, paragraph 6 (1) stipulates that the Establishment Licence Holder must establish and maintain a body known as the AWERB and the minimum composition and which must carry out the tasks set out in Article 27 of the Directive.

To achieve these objectives, AWERB will carry out tasks in these main areas:

AWERB Committee - This will be the principle body of the Ethical Review process that will review all research work and will report to the Establishment Licence Holder (PEL). It will comprise of internal and external members with an external Chairperson independent of the University, Ethical review of project licence applications and amendments involving the use of protected animals undergoing regulated procedures within the establishment and retrospective assessment of relevant projects carried out at the establishment.

AWERB 3Rs - To scrutinize research projects and procedures involving the use of live animals to ensure that the 3Rs have been adequately applied. Provide a critical overview of the progress with replacement of animals, ensuring that all available information has been sought. Consideration of the main elements of study design, animal production, care and use that underpin reduction. Advise on refinement resources such as recommended limit volumes for dosing and sampling, Standard Operating Procedures for common regulated procedures, recording of clinical signs and coding of actual severity, anaesthetic and analgesic regimens, aseptic surgical techniques and colony management.

AWERB Operations Committee - Awareness raising activities to provide information and advice to assist members of the University in addressing welfare concerns, and other ethical issues arising in the course of their work including wider examination of standards of animal care and use within the establishment. Help to promote a ‘culture of care’ within the establishment and, as appropriate, in the wider community. To provide a forum for consideration and discussion of animal production, care and use; animal accommodation; animal health issues; environmental enrichment; animal models; good practice; training and competencies. Outward facing activities; advising other research groups, schools and colleges.