About ANZCCART

The Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)

ANZCCART is an independent body which was established to provide a focus for consideration of the scientific, ethical and social issues associated with the use of animals in research and teaching. Within New Zealand this also includes animal use in toxicity or potency testing. Animal use is often the subject of lively debate. ANZCCART seeks to promote effective communication and co-operation between all parties and to assist in the resolution of potential conflicts by promoting awareness of concerns and solutions to problems.

ANZCCART’s corporate mission is to promote:

  • excellence in the care of animals supplied for or used in research, testing (within New Zealand), and teaching;
  • responsible scientific use of animals;
  • the Three Rs: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement as they apply to the use of animals for scientific purposes;
  •  informed discussion and debate within the community regarding these matters;
  • strategic partnerships to contribute to the education and training of scientists, students and the broader community.

ANZCCART operates on a purely advisory basis and provides guidance and information to all interested parties including Animal Ethics Committees (AEC), scientists, teachers, regulatory authorities, granting agencies, government, animal welfare organisations, the media and the general public.

Background to ANZCCART (NZ)

ANZCCART is governed by separate Boards in New Zealand and Australia. ANZCCART (NZ) is a committee of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Its principal sponsors are Universities New Zealand and AgResearch Ltd but it also receives annual contributions and/ or other support from organisations including the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Royal New Zealand SPCA. ANZCCART (NZ) promotes and supports the commitment to the principles embodied in the New Zealand legislation regulating the use of animals in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand (Animal Welfare Act 1999, Part 6).

Further information is available on the animal welfare principles of the Three Rs and ANZCCART’s History.

 

History of ANZCCART

ANZCCART was formed in 1993 as a collaborative effort between the existing Australian Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ACCART) and New Zealand authorities including the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (now the Ministry for Primary Industries), and the Royal Society of New Zealand.

ANZCCART within New Zealand is a committee of the Royal Society of New Zealand. It
maintains close links with its Australian counterpart which was rebranded under the ANZCCART name when ANZCCART was established in New Zealand.

For a full history of ANZCCART, please see the article “Reflections on the use of animals in research, testing and teaching in New Zealand – a historical perspective.” by Dr David Bayvel et al. (2011). (PDF, 653 kb, 4 pages)

 

Resource links about ANZCCART and animal welfare in New Zealand

The following resources about ANZCCART and animal welfare in New Zealand are available: