OLAW Modifies Assurances Schedules
On 13 July, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced changes relating to Animal Welfare Assurances and annual reports3. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) will now approve most Assurances for periods of up to four years, instead of five, to allow time for the review and approval of renewal Assurances. OLAW is now strongly encouraging institutions to use the calendar year (i.e., 1 January–31 December) for the reporting period of annual reports, and has standardized the due dates of the annual reports it requires in order to allow OLAW to be more responsive to the research community and help institutions track and comply with reporting requirements.
USDA Extends Comment Period on Changes to Regulations on Birds, Rats, and Mice
On 21 July, APHIS extended the comment period for its advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding several changes it is considering to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Regulations to promote the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of birds, rats, and mice not specifically excluded from coverage under the AWA4. APHIS will consider all comments received on or before 1 November, 2004.
China Sets Up a Veterinary Bureau in its Ministry of Agriculture
China recently announced the establishment of a Veterinary Bureau in its Agriculture Ministry to supervise the country's veterinary sector, and appointed Jia Youling—a noted animal husbandry expert—as its Chief Veterinarian and Director5.
The new bureau is expected to improve control of animal diseases, improve public health, increase income of Chinese farmers, and promote agricultural trade. It will develop laws and regulations on animal quarantine, and lists of banned animals and products; supervise the animal quarantine; and enact policies on animal quarantine, safety of animal products, and animal rights. This news may indicate that China is adopting international standards in veterinary practice.
References
USDA APHIS. Notice of availability. Process for foreign animal disease status evaluations; availability of informational document. Federal Register 69(142), 44487 (26 July 2004).
USDA APHIS. Final rule. Animal welfare; inspection, licensing, and procurement of animals. Federal Register 69(134), 42089–42102 (14 July 2004).
NIH. Office of Extramural Research notice regarding animal welfare documents submitted to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. NOT-OD-04-052 (13 July 2004). http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-04-052.html.
USDA APHIS. Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period. Animal welfare; regulations and standards for birds, rats, and mice. Federal Register 69(139), 435388–43539 (21 July 2004).
China View. China sets up veterinary administration. (30 July 2004). http://search.xinhuanet.com/search/xhse.jsp?sw=Jia%20Youling.
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Shalev, M. Regulation Updates. Lab Anim 33, 13 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0904-13c
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0904-13c
