Patterns of low level concerns

This document describes the approach that is taken in the UK when inspectors identify low-level concerns in establishments using research animals. These are not breaches of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 or licence conditions in themselves, but, taken together, they could form a pattern which could indicate that a management and/or welfare regime may have weaknesses which could pose an increased risk of non-compliance or adverse animal welfare.

Appendix A in the document describes indicators of low-level concerns. These may be useful when working to improve a culture of care at an institution.

Since the UK Act has been revised in order to transpose the EU Directive 2010/63, this document is of interest to other European countries also.

The document can be downloaded here. Version 1.1, December 2015, 16 pages.