International conference on animal welfare in Leiden
Continuing to improve the welfare of laboratory animals is the focus of the international conference on 12 and 13 October in Leiden. The UK animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, is organizing the two-day meeting together with Leiden University. The meeting is for researchers, animal caretakers, policy makers and animal protectionists. ‘We are looking forward to exchange knowledge and experience with our colleagues about the care for our animals,’ said Nelleke Verhave, Chair of Animal Welfare Body Leiden.
‘It is fantastic that we are able to organize this meeting in Naturalis together with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the Netherlands National Committee for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes (the NCad), the Dutch Association for Laboratory Animal Science (DALAS) and the LUMC,’ says Verhave enthusiastically. ‘We do everything we can to minimise serious distress to animals. Therefore it is good to talk about that together.’
Program: looking beyond familiar paths
During the conference Focus on Severe Suffering researchers, students, policymakers and other stakeholders are challenged to look beyond the known paths and take the next step in reducing severe suffering in animal experiments. Sessions include:
- A workshop on cumulative severity
- Case studies on avoiding severe suffering in basic and applied research
- Implementing the ‘Roadmap’ to reduce severe suffering
- Roles, responsibilities and communication to optimize refinement
Check here for a preliminary agenda.
Sign up for the conference
The meeting is open to those involved in the care and use of laboratory animals. Participation is free of charge. The speakers and discussion will be in English. You can sign up until 5 October. There is room for 150 participants. Afterwards you will receive a certificate of participation from the RSPCA. Would you like more information? Send an email to: animalsinscience@rspca.org.uk.
Positions of Leiden University and LUMC
‘Leiden University and LUMC are committed to high-quality research and minimizing the discomfort for the animals,’ says Nelleke Verhave, Chair of Animal Welfare Body Leiden. ‘A conference with the focus on reducing severe suffering fits within this commitment. It also provides a boost in attention to these topics within the Leiden institutes and divisions involved in animal research.’
More information on research involving laboratory animals is published at the Leiden University website.