Animal Research beyond the Laboratory: Report from a Workshop on Places Other than Licensed Establishments (POLEs) in the UK.

Alexandra Palmer,Zoe Belshaw,S James Reynolds,Reuben Message,Beth Greenhough,Roger Dickey,Dominic J Wells,Pru Hobson-West,Julie Lane,Matthew J Witt,Chris Newman,Kirsten Pullen,Sarah Wolfensohn,Kate Millar,Jamie Lorimer,James N Aegerter,Ngaire Dennison

doi:10.3390/ani10101868

Abstract

Simple SummaryAnimal research conducted outside of the laboratory faces various unique challenges, but has received only limited attention in terms of official guidelines, support, and statistics. To improve understanding, we held a workshop bringing together experts familiar with a variety of nonlaboratory animal research contexts (e.g., wildlife field sites, farms, fisheries, veterinary clinics, zoos). We collectively identified five key areas that we propose require further discussion and attention, which we present in this paper. While the workshop focused on research in the UK, our conclusions may have implications for similar work overseas.Research involving animals that occurs outside the laboratory raises an array of unique challenges. With regard to UK legislation, however, it receives only limited attention in terms of official guidelines, support, and statistics, which are unsurprisingly orientated towards the laboratory environment in which the majority of animal research takes place. In September 2019, four social scientists from the Animal Research Nexus program gathered together a group of 13 experts to discuss nonlaboratory research under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (A(SP)A) of 1986 (mirroring European Union (EU) Directive 2010/63/EU), which is the primary mechanism for regulating animal research in the UK. Such nonlaboratory research under the A(SP)A often occurs at Places Other than Licensed Establishments (POLEs). The primary objective of the workshop was to assemble a diverse group with experience across a variety of POLEs (e.g., wildlife field sites, farms, fisheries, veterinary clinics, zoos) to explore the practical, ethical, and regulatory challenges of conducting research at POLEs. While consensus was not sought, nor reached on every point of discussion, we collectively identified five key areas that we propose require further discussion and attention. These relate to: (1) support and training; (2) ethical review; (3) cultures of care, particularly in nonregulated research outside of the laboratory; (4) the setting of boundaries; and (5) statistics and transparency. The workshop generated robust discussion and thereby highlighted the value of focusing on the unique challenges posed by POLEs, and the need for further opportunities for exchanging experiences and sharing best practice relating to research projects outside of the laboratory in the UK and elsewhere.

Highlights

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (A(SP)A) of 1986 is the primary mechanism for regulating invasive scientific research in the UK, with any “protected” animal, i.e., vertebrates and cephalopods when either the species-specific gestation or incubation period has elapsed, or when they become capable of independent feeding [1]
It should be noted that because no information is available on the kinds of sites that are classified as Places Other than Licensed Establishments (POLEs), it is possible that the workshop neglected some areas
We begin by describing six key themes that emerged from the workshop, relating to: (1) practical and ethical contrasts between research at POLEs and in the laboratory; (2) transparency and profile of

Summary

Introduction

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (A(SP)A) of 1986 is the primary mechanism for regulating invasive scientific research in the UK, with any “protected” animal, i.e., vertebrates and cephalopods when either the species-specific gestation or incubation period has elapsed (in the cases of mammals, birds, and reptiles), or when they become capable of independent feeding [1]. A(SP)A is conducted in laboratories, the A(SP)A extends to research conducted outside of the laboratory, such as at practicing farms—i.e., farms used for agricultural and fish production, rather than those used exclusively for research—veterinary clinics, zoos, and wildlife and fisheries field sites, which might be built structures (e.g., field stations, enclosures designed to keep animals semicaptive) or open-air locations (e.g., in woodlands, on boats). Such venues outside of the laboratory are often classified under the A(SP)A as Places Other than Licensed Establishments (POLEs). Research at POLEs is explicitly the exception rather than the rule, since researchers must justify why they are unable to conduct the research within a licensed user establishment [1,2]

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