Notice Number: NOT-OD-20-069
Key Dates
Release Date: February 24, 2020
Response Date: April 29, 2020
NOT-OD-20-143 - Grant and Contract Submission Requirements Regarding the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
NOT-OD-20-132 - Public Comments on the Implementation of the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Purpose
This Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit input from the public on any concerns they may have with the updated American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition ("Guidelines") and provide guidance to Public Health Service (PHS) and National Science Foundation funded institutions on implementation of the updated Guidelines.
Background
The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) monitors compliance with the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) by Assured institutions. The PHS Policy, IV.C.1.g., requires that Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) reviewing research animal activities determine that methods of euthanasia used will be consistent with the recommendations of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals, 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 has released the latest version of its Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. The 2020 Edition is available at https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf (PDF).
OLAW encourages Assured institutions to begin using the 2020 Guidelines when reviewing research projects as soon as possible and expects full implementation after October 1, 2020. Previously approved projects undergoing continuing review according to PHS Policy, IV.C.5., which requires a complete review at least once every 3 years, must be reviewed using the 2020 Guidelines after October 1, 2020. Additional information can be found at AVMA Guidelines 2020.
Information Requested
The NIH is seeking input from the public on any concerns they may have regarding the updated Guidelines. Public comments must be submitted electronically at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/rfi/rfi.cfm?ID=105. Comments must be received on or before April 29, 2020. Responders are free to address any of the recommendations in the Guidelines. The NIH may make the comments available on the OLAW website.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
Telephone: 301-496-7163
Email: olaw@od.nih.gov
and Human Services (HHS)
