NCad opinion Preventing, recognising and combating pain in laboratory animals
By letter dated 31 March 2015 the Minister for Agriculture commissioned the Netherlands National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (NCad) to provide its opinion on the procedure and application of best practices to assist researchers and Animal Welfare Bodies (IvDs) in recognising and managing pain in the workplace, depending on animal species and nature of the animal procedures.
At the heart of the report from NCad is the Code of Practice (CoP) ‘Prevention, recognition, and management of pain in laboratory animals’. This CoP has been drawn up by a working group of experts and provides a guide to all parties involved in animal procedures in the prevention, recognition, and management of pain in laboratory animals. The optimal application of the CoP requires supportive measures.