NCad opinion • Indicators, management and utilisation of data for monitoring laboratory animal use and 3R alternatives, part 2
In a letter dated 31 March 2015 the Minister for Agriculture requested the Netherlands National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (NCad) to issue an opinion on indicators, management and utilisation of data for monitoring laboratory animal use and 3R alternatives. NCad was asked to publish its opinion in two parts. The first part was published in November 2015. Part 1 focused on the management and utilisation of data on laboratory animal use and 3R alternatives. NCad has advised the disclosure of data concerning laboratory animal use and the 3R alternatives. Via a new centralised data warehouse – a virtual network of many stakeholders – all information concerning animal procedures and 3R alternatives
that is available to the government – should be made accessible as open data.
This advisory report (Part 2) meets the second part of the request and identifies indicators that could contribute to a better understanding of issues surrounding the use of laboratory animals and 3R alternatives, and developments in these fields. These can be used for the development and implementation of policy. The guiding principle of both parts of the advice is the aspiration of the Minister as formulated
in the Action Plan for Animal Procedures and Alternatives to promote animal welfare and to minimise laboratory animal use as much as possible.