Directive no: / TBA
Approval date: / 2010
Previous review dates: / n/a
Next review date: / 2015
Author: / Senior Education Officer - Curriculum
Animal Ethics
Purpose
Cairns school communities recognise the valuable role that animals play in the curriculum through enriching learning experiences. Observing animals and their behaviour fosters students’ natural curiosity about their world. They learn about themselves, the nature of life and the environment in which they live. Positive interaction with animals also encourages the development of attitudes and values that promote sensitivity to the needs of all living organisms, including other humans.
Reference
Animal Care and Protection Act 2001
(All schools in the Diocese of Cairns using animals in schools are governed by the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. The Act incorporates the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes)
Directive
All diocesan schools that use animals for scientific research must be registered with the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI). They must also have approval to conduct research through the Queensland Schools Animal Ethics Committee (QSAEC).
Consequences
Schools and colleges in the Diocese of Cairns are registered with the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) through Catholic Education Services.
Catholic Education Services, through the Senior Education Officer – Curriculum, makes applications in writing to QSAEC for approval for rat and toad dissections in Yrs 8 - 12.
A person in a school who wishes to use an animal, other than rats or toads in Yrs 8 – 12, for scientific purposes must make an application in writing to the QSAEC for approval through the Catholic Education Services, Senior Education Officer – Curriculum.
Schools are required to provide the Catholic Education Services, Senior Education Officer – Curriculum with the appropriate information yearly to report to QDPI&F (DEEDI) and QSAEC.
Schools must keep records of all animal use and activities undertaken on the school site (including animals on school site, animal use activities, activity completion records and annual animal use reports).
Teachers and scientific investigators in Queensland schools that use animals:
- Are directly responsible for the welfare of the animals in their care.
- Must submit applications to the QSAEC and have those applications approved before any animal-use activities can be undertaken in their school.
- Must apply to the QSAEC for any variation/s to the approved EQ applications and gain QSAEC approval for this variation prior to undertaking the animal-use activity.
- Must comply with the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, 7th Edition 2004, and any requirements requested by the QSAEC.
- Must ensure appropriate animals in minimal numbers are used.
- Must ensure that pain and stress are minimised.
- Are responsible for monitoring and record keeping of the animals on their site.
- Must report any unexpected adverse events that may occur with any animals for which they are responsible.
Enquiries
Senior Education Officer - Curriculum
See also (Related Policies and Guidelines)
Guideline/Procedure – Animal Ethics
CES CES Policy Template- 1