Animal ethics , Matatika kararehe

The Animal Ethics Committee, staff working with animals and the Animal Welfare Officer work together to ensure everyone working with animals for research, testing, and teaching carries out their work ethically.

We’re committed to replacing animals for science, wherever possible, as technology permits.

In any instances where animals are used in research, teaching and testing, there are specific rules to ensure this work is carried out ethically.

These rules ensure there is good reason to use animals for these purposes and that the animals are managed as well as possible. You will find these rules in Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act.

Read the Animal Welfare Act (1999).

Section 83 of the Act states that no one can do research, teaching or testing that involves using animals in a manner that changes the animals' experiences, unless they get approval from an animal ethics committee. The committee decides if the project can proceed and sets conditions that must be followed.

Before applying to the Massey University Animal Ethics Committee, staff and students must read the Code of Ethical Conduct for the Use of Animals for Research, Testing and Teaching. This code explains the responsibility of the ethics committee and staff who use and care for animals at Massey University.

Read the Code of Ethical Conduct (PDF, 334 KB)

Animal use at Massey University

Animals can be used for research, teaching and testing only when ethically and scientifically justified and if other methods are not available or practical. This includes mammals (farm, domestic, wild, marine and laboratory), birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and crustaceans.

The projects at Massey may involve:

  • development of fundamental knowledge
  • conservation and ecology
  • environmental management
  • animal science
  • veterinary science
  • human medical science
  • production of biological agents
  • testing foods and other products that may benefit animal or human health
  • evaluating the nutritional qualities of foods.

Our veterinary, animal science and agriculture science courses may use animals for teaching purposes.

Three Rs of animal ethics

We minimise the ethical cost to animals by implementing these principles:

  • Reduce the number of animals to the minimum required.
  • Refine manipulations to minimise their noxiousness.
  • Replace animals with alternative methods wherever possible.

Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in NZ

Massey is a signatory to the Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in NZ. This influences how our researchers and teachers communicate about their work with animals.

Read the Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in NZ

As Massey researchers and teachers, we will:

  • be clear about why and how we use animals in research and teaching
  • enhance our communication with the media and the public about our use of animals in research and teaching
  • enhance our communications with tangata whenua about our use of animals in research and teaching
  • be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research and teaching using animals
  • report on progress annually and share our experiences.

Massey University Animal Ethics Committee (MUAEC)

An Animal Ethics Committee assesses the proposed plan for research, teaching or testing, weighing it against the principles in Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act. An Animal Ethics Committee must:

  • be convinced the expected benefits gained from using animals do not exceed the likely harm to the animals
  • assess whether the experiment or demonstration's design reasonably anticipates achieving its objectives
  • be satisfied with the application of the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement
  • be satisfied the care of animals follows good practice standards.

Section 100 of the Act outlines other considerations committee members must evaluate.

The Animal Ethics Committee is also legally responsible for monitoring a portion of the approved projects to evaluate compliance with current legislation, the Code of Ethical Conduct and the conditions set in the approved application.

MUAEC roles

Membership of an animal ethics committee must comply with Section 101 of the Animal Welfare Act. For MUAEC this includes members nominated by:

  • A representative of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RNZSPCA), not employed by or associated with the university or involved with animals used for research, testing or teaching.
  • A person nominated by Horizons Regional Council or Palmerston North City Council, who is not employed by or associated with the university, the scientific community or an animal welfare agency.
  • A veterinarian nominated by the New Zealand Veterinary Association. This person cannot be employed by or associated with the university in a manner that could result in a conflict of interest.

Massey staff members include those appointed by:

  • Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Sciences (two members)
  • Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Health
  • Head of School, Veterinary Science
  • Head of School, Agriculture and Environment
  • Head of School, Natural Sciences
  • Director, Massey Ag & Hort Enterprises

The committee may appoint one additional member to assist with scientific or technical matters or with expertise not otherwise represented.

Chairperson

Associate Professor Rene Corner-Thomas

Secretary

Miralie Thomas Vincent

MUAEC meeting dates 2024

The first part of committee meetings are open to the public.

16 February
14 March
19 April
17 May
21 June
19 July
16 August
13 September
11 October
14 November
13 December

External review of MUAEC

The Animal Welfare Act requires every animal ethics committee to periodically be assessed by an accredited independent reviewer to evaluate compliance of the committee with its legal requirements.

The summary section of the 2023 MUAEC review report states:

"Overall, Massey University has a Code of Ethical Conduct, processes and staffing that implement the requirements of Part 6 of the Animal Welfare Act very well.

Three minor non-compliances were revealed by the review. All relate to minor refinement of the Code.

Six recommendations are made as suggestions of how some small improvements could be made in compliance, effectiveness or efficiency."

Rehoming of animals

Efforts to rehome animals when no longer required or suitable for research, teaching or testing are pursued when the animals are likely to adapt to a new home environment and experience a good quality of life.

We only rehome animals to owners with the necessary skills to ensure a good quality of life for them. We also disclose any health issue or behavioural problem the animal may have before seeking an agreement to rehome.

Helping You Help Animals (HUHA) and the New Zealand Anti-vivisection Society (NZAVS) have provided invaluable assistance with rehoming animals in recent years.

Learning and development

Research staff and students are regularly provided opportunities for learning and development to build their understandings of the Ethics Code and Code of Responsible Research Conduct.

Research supervisors, early career researchers, and postgraduate students, alongside experienced researchers, are encouraged to engage in online and blended workshops on ethics.

Contact us

If you would like more information about animal ethics at Massey, contact our Animal Welfare Officer.

Contact the MUAEC Secretary for committee-related questions.

Animal Welfare Officer – Juliet Cayzer

MUAEC Secretary – Miralie Thomas Vincent

Phone

+64 6 356 9099 extension 83841

In the media