Samuel Vidal Vetagro Sup – Lyon – France

In the new legislation, Care and Accomodation of animals changed under a double influence :  The revision of Annex A of ETS 123  Enclosures size and conception  Ethological considerations  The stronger implementation of 3R’s  Enforces the importance of welfare assessment  Asserts the position of the attending veterinarian  Creates a animal welfare body

The first duty is to consider the physiological an ethological requirements of animals. Creates limits of what is not acceptable: “Never restrict animals to outdoor enclosures in extreme conditions”

 A care and health monitoring strategy :  Microbiological surveys  Strategy for health breakdowns  Procedure for introduction of animals  What bioexclusion level is required by the scientific purpose ?  Is the facility and the strategy adapted ?  Know the health status in the animals in their arrival  Certificates / health monitoring program in the breeders  Hygiene measures / controls

 « Animals shall be checked at least daily by a competent person (…) appropriate action is taken » This mandatory daily check is a very important and strategic duty that will be difficult to address by some breeders. Competent person  importance of training.

General Veterinarian overview :  Health monitoring program (annex A)  Responsibility and advisory duties (art 25)  Reuse of animals  Rehoming of animals  End points and pain assessment

 Art : Responsible FOR Aal welfare Scientist Others… D ESIGNATED V ETERINARIAN Advise s A DVISE THE STAFF : C ARE AUD USE – A CCOMODATION 3R’ S - R EHOMING E STABLISH PROCEDURES : FOR WELFARE MONITORING F OLLOW UP : OF PROJECTS R ECORDS

 The Directive includes the specific case of wild animals taken from the wild :  If the procedure (sampling…) is done in the field, a special place should be available  It not, the animal must be taken for a quarantine and acclimatization process to be observed.  If they are set free, a special release program should exist.

 The general rule is « social housing » of compatible animals.  the text admits that some animals are naturally solitary.

 Single housing :  Should be limited to strictly necessary for scientific purpose. Reviewed by ethical committee 1- keep the contact between animals : visually, olfactory 2- carefully manage the reintroduction of isolated animals

 « Animals should be provided with sufficient space complexity to allow expression of wide range of normal behavior »  Provided toys of goodies is not enough, enrichment is a scientific approach

 Method for enrichment : 1-It is necessary to know normal behavior needs for each species 2- Find solutions to address 3- Assess the efficacy of the solution and its compatibility with the scientific goal of the research and the hygiene level

 Example : Rabbits 1- Need to nibble and erode the teeth 2- Provide pieces of wood ? 3- OK – it is efficient but we have to find a source of neutral and aseptic wood

 Example : Pigs 1- Need to forage 2- Provide a vegetal bedding and give daily food spread on the ground 3- Ok except if we need to evaluate food consumption

 First symptom of a lack of enrichment : stereotypy

 Should not be detrimental to animals  Made with materials easy to clean and decontaminate  The design of the floor should be adapted to each species.

 Must provide a solution :  For resting  For nesting (if necessary) The space shall be clean, dry and comfortable.  Avoid complete mesh floors with no full resting space.

 Should be adapted to physiological needs  Palatable and non contaminated  Correctly packed and stored.  « Accessible to each animal » : important for group housed, competition, sick animal or if there is a collective feeder.

 The microbiological and chemical quality of drinking water must be monitored  Automatic supply systems must be regularly checked : - For breakdown - For uncontrolled flow

Recommendations Behavior Specific requirements. Examples :  resting area for rabbits  isolation of cats  weaning of marmosets Mandatory data - Enclosure size : -  surface -  Volume -  Number of animals per cage -  Requirements for breeding groups (female / pups)