Extract from: http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/awabrief.htm#Q15

III. IACUC Review of Activities Involving Animals (Section 2.31 (d)):

(1) In order to approve proposed activities or proposed significant changes in activities, the IACUC shall (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)):

*

Conduct a review of the activities related to the care and use of animals to determine if the proposed activities are in accordance with regulations and standards unless, acceptable justification for departure is presented in writing. However, field studies, as defined in section 1.1, are exempt from this requirement. The IACUC must also determine that the proposed activities, or significant changes to activities, meet the following requirements:

(i) Procedures involving animals will avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animals.

(ii) That the principal investigator has considered alternatives to procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals and has provided a written justification and description of the methods and sources used to determine that alternatives were not available (ex. data base names, search words, etc.).

(iii) That the principal investigator has provided written assurance that the activities do not unnecessarily duplicate previous experiments.

(iv) That procedures that may cause more than momentary or slight pain or distress to the animals will:

(A) Be performed with appropriate pain relieving drugs unless withholding such drugs is scientifically justified, in writing, by the principal investigator and will continue only for the necessary period of time (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1) (iv)(A)).

(B) Require involvement and consultation with the attending veterinarian during planning of the activity (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(iv)(B)).

(C) Not include the use of paralytics without anesthesia. This is a firm prohibition and the use of paralytics without anesthesia is not allowed (Sect.2.31 (d)(1)(iv)(C)).

(v) Any animal that may experience severe or chronic pain or distress, that can not be relieved, will be painlessly euthanized as soon as possible (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(v)). If such a protocol does not provide for an early termination and euthanasia of the animals then the principal investigator must justify this procedure, in writing, and the IACUC must review and approve such activity.

(vi) The animals living conditions must be appropriate for their species, as set forth in 9 C.F.R., Part 3, and must contribute to their health and comfort. The husbandry, nutrition, and nonmedical care of the animals is to be directed by the attending veterinarian or other scientist trained and experienced in the proper care, handling, and use of the species being used (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(vi)).

(vii) Medical care for the animals must be available and provided as necessary by a qualified veterinarian. This includes after hours, weekends, and holidays (Sect.2.31 (d)(1)(vii)).

(viii) All personnel conducting procedures on the species being maintained or used must be appropriately qualified and trained in those procedures (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(viii)).

(ix) Activities involving surgery must include appropriate provisions for pre- and post-operative care. This care must be in accordance with established veterinary medical and nursing practices (what is currently accepted as the norm in the veterinary profession) (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(ix)).
*

All survival surgery must use aseptic procedures (surgical gloves, masks, sterile instruments, and aseptic techniques).
*

Major operative procedures on non rodents are to be conducted only in facilities intended for that purpose and shall be operated and maintained under aseptic conditions.
*

Non major operative procedures and all surgery on rodents do not require a dedicated facility, but must be done under aseptic procedures.
*

Operative procedures conducted at field sites do not require dedicated facilities but must be done using aseptic procedures.

(x) No animal is to be used in more that one "major operative procedure"(see definition, section 1.1) from which it is allowed to recover unless (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(x)):

(A) The procedure is justified for scientific reasons by the investigator, in writing (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(x)(A)).

(B) The procedure is required as a routine veterinary procedure, or is necessary to protect the health or well-being of the animal as determined by the attending veterinarian (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(x)(B)).

(C) The procedure is approved by the Administrator of APHIS on an individual basis (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(x)(C)).

(xi) Methods of euthanasia must be in accordance with the definition in section 1.1 unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons by the investigator, in writing, and is approved by the IACUC. Recommendations of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia should be followed (Sect. 2.31 (d)(1)(xi)).