Notice Number: NOT-OD-13-090
Key Dates
Release Date: July 22, 2013
NOT-OD-13-098
NOT-OD-13-048
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Purpose
This Notice provides information to Public Health Service (PHS) awardee institutions on public comments regarding the implementation of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition ("Guidelines").
Background
The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) oversees PHS-funded animal activities by the authority of the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy). The PHS Policy, IV.C.1.g., requires that Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) reviewing PHS-conducted or supported research projects determine that methods of euthanasia used will be consistent with the recommendations of the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.
Implementation of the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals
The AVMA issued and posted an update to the 2007 Guidelines on Euthanasia with a new title, AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition available at https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf (PDF). OLAW encourages PHS-Assured institutions to begin using the 2013 Guidelines when reviewing research projects as soon as possible, and expects full implementation after September 1, 2013. Previously approved projects undergoing continuing review according to PHS Policy, IV.C.5., which requires a complete de novo review at least once every 3 years, must be reviewed using the 2013 Guidelines after September 1, 2013.
Public Comment
The NIH received 12 comments from the public on their concerns regarding the updated Guidelines during an open comment period from March 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013. The comments may be viewed at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2013avmaguidelines_comments.htm. All comments have been submitted by OLAW to the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia for their consideration.
Inquiries
For questions or further information, contact:
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
Office of Extramural Research
National Institutes of Health
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 360
Bethesda, MD 20892-7982
Telephone: 301-496-7163
Fax: 301-480-3394
Email: olaw@od.nih.gov
Web: http://olaw.nih.gov/
and Human Services (HHS)
