Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)

Reg no: AREC-261110-001, registration certificate is valid until 21 December 2027.

 

Institution: The University of Pretoria Research Animal Ethics committee (AEC) is registered with the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) of South Africa, under the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003). The AEC, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria complies with NHREC, and SANS 10386: 2021.

Welcome to the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)

AEC is the subcommittee of the Committee for Research Ethics and Integrity of the University of Pretoria (UP), which reports to the Senate Committee for Research. All the faculties of UP involved in research and teaching, using experimental animals are reviewed by the AEC.

The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) oversees the ethical use of animals in research and teaching at the University of Pretoria. We are committed to ensuring that all animals are treated with the highest standards of care, compassion, and respect, in compliance with relevant legislation and ethical principles.

Our Mission and Vision

The AEC ensures that all animals used for research and teaching at our institution adheres to the highest ethical standards.

The University of Pretoria affirms that humans have an obligation to respect animals and to appreciate that they are sensitive to pain, respond to stress and may remember such experiences.

The University expects its members to make every effort to refine, reduce and replace animals used at the institution.

The mandate of the AEC is to ensure that if the use of experimental animals is necessary, that the number of animals used is reduced to a minimum, that unnecessary suffering of the animals is excluded and their well-being ensured and that the National Code of welfare standards for each species is maintained (SANS 10386: 2021).

Key Responsibilities

  • Review and approve all research activities/ teaching purposes involving animals.
  • Ensure compliance with national legislation and international ethical guidelines.
  • Monitor the care and welfare of animals used in research and teaching purposes
  • Provide guidance on ethical animal use
  • Investigate and respond to any concerns or issues raised regarding animal welfare.

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