| 5.1 | RSPCA Australia advocates that the results of all research involving animals must be made available to the wider scientific community through published journal articles, conference proceedings or complete data sets, including inconclusive results or where project objectives are not met. |
| 5.2 | Animal use statistics |
| 5.2.1 | RSPCA Australia advocates that all institutions must provide consistent, publicly accessible annual animal use statistics including number and species of animals used, category and degree of intervention, the number and proportion of animals rehomed, and the number of animals either humanely killed or who have died. |
| 5.2.2 | Annual animal use statistics must be reviewed by the regulator and progress reported on reducing the overall number of animals used, the number of animals used in invasive procedures, the number humanely killed and to increase the number of animals rehomed. |
| 5.2.3 | State regulators must collect, collate and submit animal use statistics to the federal government for the publication of an annual report of national use statistics. |
| 5.3 | Non-animal alternatives |
| 5.3.1 | RSPCA Australia supports collaboration between institutions and mandatory reporting by institutions on the progress made to replace the use of animals. |
| 5.3.2 | RSPCA Australia advocates for the establishment of a government funded national centre to support the development and implementation of non-animal alternatives for research and teaching. |
| 5.4 | Non-human primates |
| 5.4.1 | RSPCA Australia is opposed to the breeding and use of non-human primates for laboratory-based research. Non-human primates have complex and highly social behaviour, advanced cognitive capacity and their needs are extremely difficult to meet in a captive environment. Furthermore, non-human primates are often used and reused over many years increasing the likelihood of significant physiological and psychological suffering. |
| 5.4.2 | Whilst the breeding and use of non-human primates for laboratory-based research continues, the RSPCA supports the establishment of a national advisory body with appropriate expertise to undertake the following:
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| 5.4.3 | RSPCA Australia is opposed to the importation or export of non-human primates for breeding or use in research. |
| 5.5 | Specific tests and procedures RSPCA Australia is opposed to the use of tests or procedures where there are inherent and insurmountable welfare risks, or where the tests or procedures have questionable scientific validity. |
| 5.6 | Export of animals for research RSPCA Australia is opposed to the export of animals for research to other countries due to the risk that animals may be used in countries without adequate animal welfare standards, regulations, monitoring or enforcement. |
(adopted 5/12/2020)
