News

 

Covid-19 and Veterinary Activities designated as Essential
In the framework of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) jointly draw attention to the roles and responsibilities of the veterinary profession for public health. They highlight the specific veterinary activities which are key to ensure a continuum in food safety, disease prevention and emergency management.
To effectively tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, many governments around the world have taken restrictive measures to close non-essential businesses. These decisions raise questions regarding potential adaptations that need to be implemented by the veterinary profession.   In this context, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) advocate for the specific activities of Veterinary Services to be considered as essential businesses.
Maintaining the activities that are crucial to public health   Veterinarians are an integral part of the global health community. Beyond the activities linked to the health and welfare of animals, they have a key role in disease prevention and management, including those transmissible to humans, and to ensure food safety for the populations. In the current situation, it is crucial that, amongst their numerous activities, they can sustain those necessary to ensure that: national and regional veterinary regulatory and inspection services can oversee the integrity of public health, only healthy animals and their by-products enter the food supply to guarantee food safety for the populations, emergency situations can be addressed, preventative measures, such as vaccination against diseases with a significant public health or economic impact, are maintained. priority research activities continue.
Supporting veterinary activities in the current context When conducting their work, veterinarians have the responsibility to safeguard their health, the health of those they work with, and their clients’ health. Hence, they must ensure that appropriate levels of biosecurity are implemented, that their personnel are protected with the necessary equipment, and that animal owners are informed of precautionary measures in place. It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that appropriate behaviours are respected in the framework of these activities, to avoid further spread of Covid-19.

The OIE and WVA joint press release can also found here: https://www.oie.int/en/for-the-media/press-releases/detail/article/covid-19-and-veterinary-activities-designated-as-essential/

The AAALAC International Fellowship Award is presented by AAALAC International through grants from Priority One Services, Inc. and Datesand Group Ltd. in cooperation with AALAS, IAT, the Medical Research Council, and the National Institutes of Health. The AAALAC International Fellowship recognizes two outstanding individuals -- one IAT Registered (RAnTech) and one AALAS Registered (RALAT, RLAT, RLATG, CMAR) located anywhere in the world -- who have made (or have the potential to make) significant contributions to the field of laboratory animal care and use.

The IAT Registered winner receives: a week-long guest visit to prestigious biomedical research facilities in the U.S. this autumn, plus complimentary attendance at the National AALAS Meeting, the U.S.'s largest laboratory animal science and technology meeting. All registration, travel, lodging, meals, and out-of-pocket expenses are covered (receipts are required). The application deadline (for the 2019 IAT Award) is June 1, 2019.

The AALAS registered winner receives: a week-long guest visit to prestigious biomedical research facilities in the U.K. next spring, plus complimentary attendance at the IAT Congress, the U.K.'s largest laboratory animal science and technology meeting. All registration, travel, lodging, meals, and out-of-pocket expenses are covered (receipts are required). The application deadline (for the 2020 AALAS Award) is October 1, 2019.

For more information on the AAALAC International Fellowship Award and the application materials, go to: https://www.aaalac.org/about/fellowship.cfm.

The Global 3Rs Awards Program recognizes significant innovative contributions toward the 3Rs of animal research to advance ethical science, by any researcher (nominated author, principal investigator, or research team leader) in academia or industry in any area of biology (e.g., basic science, discovery, development, teaching, testing, manufacture for new medicines, vaccines, medical devices or healthcare products for humans and animals). Up to four Global Awards (North America, Europe, Pacific Rim, and the Rest of World) will be presented in 2019 in the amount of $5,000 (USD) each. Award nominations should be based on a primary research paper that advances any of the 3Rs (i.e., the Refinement, Replacement or Reduction of animal use) and is published in a peer-reviewed journal in the last three (3) years. The application deadline is June 1, 2019.  For more information on the Global 3Rs Awards Program and the application materials, go to: www.aaalac.org/news/Global-3Rs-Awards.cfm. 

Check out the posting here.

Dear Colleagues,

EURL ECVAM has launched a survey to assess stakeholders' opinions on the scientific and technical issues that influence end-user confidence and uptake of complex in vitro models (e.g. 3D cell cultures, organ-on-chip, microphysiological systems).

The survey can be accessed here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/VCIVM2017

The deadline for completing the survey is Thursday 31st May 2018.

We would be grateful if you could distribute this survey within the user community and any relevant organisations/networks.

Your and your colleagues' opinions are highly appreciated.

European Commission
DG Environment
Unit Sustainable Chemicals
http://www.ec.europa.eu/animals-in-science

 

The Scientific Chair is calling all CALAM/ACMAL Members to submit an abstract for a variety of presentation formats.

Share your knowledge on important lab animal medicine topics such as:

• Clinical Cases
• Anesthesia and Protocols
• Method Development
• Refinement Alternatives
• Humane Endpoints
• Regulatory/Ethical Issues 

Important Dates:

Oral Presentations or Talking Poster Presentations

Monday, January 29th, 2018 - Deadline to submit abstracts

Friday, February 16th, 2018 - Notification by the Scientific Chair

Poster Presentations

Monday, February 12th, 2018 - Deadline to submit abstracts

Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 - Notification by Scientific Chair

For more information regarding the CALAS/ACSAL Call for Abstracts, 

please click here.

CALAM/ACMAL had been advocating that research animals were patients of laboratory animal veterinarians and that Health Canada’s application of the exemption process was limiting the rights and obligations of the licensed laboratory animal veterinarians.  After consultation with provincial and territorial veterinary licensing boards, Health Canada recognizes this patient-veterinarian relationship and has modified its exemption application process, effective as of January 1^st, 2017.

For more information please see click on the links below:

Letter from Health Canada

English Scientific Exemption Form 

French Scientific Exemption Form

On behalf of all CALAM/ACMAL members, we would like to thank Dr. Jim Gourdon for his efforts to reach this outcome.