Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body

Committee description

Secretary : awcom@liverpool.ac.uk

In accordance with the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA), 1986, the University’s AWERB is responsible for promoting the welfare and approving research involving animals.

Terms of Reference

a) advise staff dealing with animals in the licensed establishment on matters related to the welfare of the animals, in relation to their acquisition, accommodation, care and use.
b) advise on the application of the 3Rs, and keep it informed of relevant technical and scientific developments.
c) establish and review management and operational processes for monitoring, reporting and follow-up in relation to the welfare of animals housed or used in the licensed establishment.
d) follow the development and outcome (retrospective review) of projects carried out in the establishment, taking into account the effect on the animals used; and to identify and advise on elements that could further contribute to the 3Rs.
e) advise on re-homing schemes, including the appropriate socialisation of the animals to be re-homed.
f) advise the establishment licence holder whether to support project proposals, primarily considering such proposals from a local perspective and bringing local knowledge and local expertise to bear.
g) assist with the retrospective assessment of relevant projects carried out at their establishment.
h) respond to enquiries, and consider advice received, from the Animals in Science Committee.
i) promote awareness of animal welfare and the 3Rs.
j) provide a forum for discussion and development of ethical advice to the establishment licence holder on all matters related to animal welfare, care and use at their establishment.
k) support named persons, and other staff dealing with animals, on animal welfare, ethical issues and provision of appropriate training.
l) help to promote a ‘culture of care’ within the establishment and, as appropriate, in the wider community.
m) ensure a record is kept of any advice given by the AWERB and any decisions taken as a result.

Members or key people

Chair
Deputy Chair
A Named Veterinary Surgeons (NVS)
2 Named Training and Competency Officers (NTCO)
A Named Person Responsible for Compliance (NPRC)
4 Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers (NACWO)
At least 7 Scientific Members
2 Lay Members appointed by Council
A Member of academic staff unconnected with animal work
Head of Home Office Facilities

In Attendance

A Representative from Marketing & Communications
A Representative from Facilities, Residential and Commercial Services (FRCS)
A Representative from Veterinary Ethics Committee

Other members may be co-opted or invited to attend for specific meetings at the discretion of the Committee.

If non-University staff or University staff who are not members of the Committee wish to attend, then a formal written request must be made to the Chair who will then decide whether the attendance at the meeting is appropriate.

Appointment of Members

  • Ex-Officio members are automatically appointed as a result of their roles at the University and have no maximum term.
  • Other members will be invited by the Chair and serve for three years in the first instance, renewable for a further three years thereafter.
  • A Lay Member is a person who is neither a member of staff or student at the University and is appointed to a committee as a result of their expertise. Lay members are typically appointed on a three-year term, serving a maximum of three consecutive terms. All proposed external committee member appointments are subject to approval by the University’s Nominations Committee.

Appointment of Chair

The appointment of the Chair is made by the Research Integrity and Governance Committee, and will be subject to obtaining the support of the Committee.

The Chair may be selected and appointed using nominations or responses to advert. Once identified, and with the support of AWERB, a formal proposal should be submitted to the Research and Integrity Governance Committee for formal approval. Once the new Chair appointment is approved, confirmation to be sent to the new Chair setting out conditions of appointment (e.g. period etc, typically three years, renewable for a further three years thereafter).

Frequency of Meetings

AWERB usually meets on three occasions during the academic year. Additional meetings may be convened if required.

AWERB may establish time-limited groups as necessary to deal with pertinent issues.

Quorum

The quorum for meetings of AWERB shall be:

  • The Chair or Deputy Chair
  • At least one Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers (NACWO)
  • The Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS)
  • At least three Scientific Members
  • The Named Person Responsible for Compliance
  • At least one Lay Member appointed by Council

Reporting Relationships

AWERB reports to the Research and Integrity Governance Committee.