ANZCCART Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia

The Australian Veterinary Association supports the Australia New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals used in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia, and was an Inaugural Supporter at the launch of the Openness Agreement on 10 August 2023.

The purpose of this agreement is to assist Australian organisations that conduct, fund or are otherwise associated with the use of animals in research or teaching to promote openness and support well-informed public discussion.

It is a public pledge that may be signed by research institutions and other organisations wishing to demonstrate their commitment to increased transparency in animal research.

The Openness Agreement was modelled on the UK’s Concordat on Openness on Animal Research which was launched in 2014 .  The Openness Agreement sets out four commitments that help institutions contribute to an improved public understanding of how, when and why animals are used in research or teaching, and efforts made to reduce harm.

Signing the agreement is open to any institutions associated with animal research or teaching. These range from those with a direct involvement such as universities or research institutes through to funding bodies and professional associations in the research sector whose involvement is indirect.

The agreement was developed by a working group of representatives from peak bodies in the research and animal protection sectors, including AVA, and was convened by ANZCCART. Development of the Agreement included full public consultation and targeted consultation within the research community.

More information on the Openness Agreement can be found here:

Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia | ANZCCART | University of Adelaide