AEC SOP Template

Title:

Author and Organisation:

Contact (Email and phone):

Date:

Species Involved:

Outline of Procedure/s: Can be attached as a separate document

If there are multiple procedures described in this SOP, please include sections that can be referred to (eg Section 2.1: Transportation of species x)

Period of Approval required:

Data management:

Attachments:

SOP listing on AEC website:

Checklist of items to include when preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for approval by the DPIPWE Animal Ethics Committee:

• Title of the SOP, including the date eg Procedure for trapping and handling wild frogs - 1 February 2017;
• Purpose of the SOP ie the reason for preparing the SOP, such as documented preferred methods of handling animals, etc.;
• Species of animals covered by the SOP (ethics approval is required for fish research in Tasmania);
• Equipment / materials to be used for the described procedures;
• Outline of procedures (detailed descriptions). If there are multiple procedures please include sections that can be referred to (eg Section 2.1: Transportation of species x);
• Training / experience / qualifications required to undertake the procedures;
• Competency assessments in non-exempt veterinary procedures – list the procedures requiring assessment under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987 Regulations 2012 [4 and 5(4)]
• Data management ie how data obtained from following the procedures will be recorded, stored and distributed; and
• List of attachments

Things to consider when outlining a procedure:

• How the animal is caught;
• How the animal is restrained;
• How the animal is monitored during a procedure including frequency of observation;
• The period of time the animal is restrained;
• The duration of each procedure;
• Biosecurity;
• Any determinants of procedural success;
• Any other protective measures required to safeguard the animal’s wellbeing;
• Name of any pharmacological agent(s) and for each

- Route of administration

- Dose rate (mg/kg)

- Duration of effect

- Frequency of administration

• Any further potential risks to the animal from this procedure; and
• Strategies to mitigate these risks

Please note the following:

All Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) approved by the DPIPWE Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) are only approved with respect to their use in research project activities that are approved by the AEC in accordance with the requirements of the Tasmanian Animal Welfare Act 1993 (the Act) and the Australian Code for the care and use of animal for scientific purposes 8th edition, 2013 (the Code).

A SOP may be approved for a period of three years. If the research is to continue beyond the three years, the SOP must be submitted to the AEC for review.

If a management SOP is to be used for research it must be submitted to the AEC for approval. It may be included with the AEC application in which it is referenced, or it may be submitted for AEC approval in advance of the AEC application.

The approval of a SOP:

• Is not a determination with respect to whether activities undertaken using the SOP constitute ‘Animal Research’ within the meaning of the Act;
• Is not a determination with respect to whether activities undertaken using the SOP constitute ‘normal animal management operations’ within the meaning of the Act; and
• Does not exempt any person from any legal requirement or obligation that applies, or may apply, to that person under the Act, and does not authorise the person to engage in any activity that is prohibited by that Act.