ANZCCART offers peek beneath secret veil

Green MP Sue Kedgley said she was delighted that ANZCCART had responded to her challenge to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding animal experimentation, and had agreed there was a need for transparency surrounding animal research and testing procedures.

"Their proposal to publish plain language summaries of all research projects approved by animal ethics committees is a welcome first step towards introducing some transparency into animal experimentation," said Ms Kedgley, the Green spokesperson for Animal Welfare.

"However, it does not go nearly far enough. Plain language summaries of animal research could be used to sanitise information and conceal relevant facts such as the suffering animals had had to endure.

"We need to ensure that using 'plain language' doesn't equate to censoring the facts.

"Given that all the committees that approve and monitor animal research meet in secret, additional measures are needed to ensure public accountability in this area."

Ms Kedgley said she wanted to see an internet site established that published the research methods scientists used and information about how applications were considered.

This information would be anonymous and published retrospectively, to protect the identity and safety of scientists.

She also wanted monitoring reports made public so that the public could assess whether the law was being adhered to and ensure that animal experiments were not being wrongly sanctioned.

"I have outlined these measures in my private members bill which will introduce transparency into animal experimentation," said Ms Kedgley.

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