AAALAC International goes above and beyond for research livestock

The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC International) is known for promoting the humane treatment of animals used in research. Less known is the nonprofit organization's accreditation of animal agriculture and wildlife research programs over the past two decades.

Various laws, agencies, and entities regulate the use and treatment of animals in research, such as the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the U.S. Public Health Service's policy on the humane care and use of laboratory animals, and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs).

Farm animals, however, are not covered by the AWA-which mainly involves animals kept at zoos and used in laboratories, as well as animals who are commercially bred and sold-and thus not subject to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and IACUC oversight.

The potential benefits of Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International-accreditation include added credibility among federal research institutions and public assurance of the institute's commitment to high quality animal care and oversight.

The absence of federal regulation doesn't mean the welfare of livestock or wildlife isn't a priority, however. University studies involving both categories of animal are indeed reviewed by the institution's IACUC. Institutions and research facilities with AAALAC accreditation further demonstrates a commitment to best practices concerning the humane treatment of research animals.

Among the list of institutions with AAALAC-accredited animal agriculture research programs are Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, the University of California-Davis, the University of Arizona, and Washington State University.

"By including agricultural animals and wildlife into accreditation, Penn State shows the importance of animal care and welfare for all animal species," said Dr. Jacob R. Werner, research professor and attending veterinarian for the Agricultural Animals and Wildlife and Animal Resource Program at Pennsylvania State University, in a statement. "AAALAC accreditation is a source of pride in demonstrating that we exceed minimum standards in animal care and welfare."

AAALAC International was established in 1965 by scientists and scientists as a voluntary accreditation program for research institutions to meet or exceed certain standards of humane care and use for laboratory animals. More than 1,100 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies, and other research institutions in 50 countries are currently AAALAC International-accredited, according to CEO Dr. Gary L Borkowski.

AAALAC International's standards exceed federal minimum requirements, according to Dr. Borkowski, and are based on "Three Primary Standards." Of these, "The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching" (Ag Guide), was drafted in partnership by the American Dairy Science Association, American Society of Animal Science, and the Poultry Science Association in 2020. The two other standards are the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" and the "European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Scientific Purposes."

AAALAC International takes the position that the housing and care for agricultural animals in an accredited program should meet the standards that prevail on a high-quality, well-managed farm, Dr. Borkowski explained. Regardless of the species, the expectation is that all program animals are appropriately cared for and that pain and distress are minimized.

As Dr. Borkowski explained, the potential benefits for an animal agricultural research program that receives AAALAC International accreditation include the following:

• Enhances the quality of agricultural research by improving opportunities for inter- and intra-institutional collaborations that may result in sponsored research funding and enhanced networking.
• Leverages institutional support for facility upgrades and continuing improvements.
• Adds credibility to the institution's program among federal agencies, e.g., National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and sponsors such as the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service.
• Stimulates program self-assessment, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.
• Encourages standardization of practices and improves record-keeping.
• Assures the public of the institution's commitment to the highest quality animal care and oversight.

When an institution applies for AAALAC International accreditation, a site visit team is assigned. The team is made up of at least one member of AAALAC International's Council on Accreditation and as many ad hoc consultants/specialists as needed, depending on the institution's size and research program complexity. To ensure a thorough peer-review, team members are selected based on the program's animal species and research and teaching activities. For agricultural programs, the site visit team would include experts in agricultural and production science or experienced farm managers.

Institutions must be re-evaluated every three years to maintain their accreditation.

"Inclusion of the agricultural animal care and use program in our AAALAC accreditation has been critical to ensuring a high standard of animal care for all animals at the university through the rigorous peer review of the accreditation process," Dr. Cynthia J. Doane, director of university animal care for the University of Arizona, said in a statement. "Accreditation is a source of pride for the university and for us, demonstrates commitment to excellence."

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