National Statistics

Publishing national statistics on animals used in research or teaching can serve several important functions. These include supporting transparency and informed ethical discussion, and providing an objective basis for policy-making and resource allocation.

At present, not all jurisdictions in Australia collect or publish animal use statistics. This means there are no reliable statistics at the national level despite recommendations over many years to address this gap.

ANZCCART therefore developed an Options Paper that outlined possible approaches and issues relating to national reporting of animal use statistics. This work was assisted by an advisory panel that provided expertise from regulatory, institutional, animal protection and community perspectives.

The Options Paper was released for public consultation in September 2024 and submissions closed in December. (The Options Paper may still be viewed for reference purposes here

A summary of the feedback from the Options Paper is now available here.

It is planned that a potential model for national statistics will now be drafted based on the Options Paper feedback summary. This model will be a starting point for further discussions and consultation with stakeholders – it will not be intended as a proposal of any sort.

Updates on this project will be posted on this webpage and announced in the ANZCCART newsletter and/or through the ANZCCART email list. For all enquiries, please contact Malcolm France, ANZCCART Project Officer, at malcolm.p.france@gmail.com with cc to anzccart@adelaide.edu.au.