Tasks of the animal welfare officer
In laboratory animal husbandry, the animal welfare officer is responsible for the implementation of and compliance with animal welfare. He or she is not bound by instructions in the performance of his or her duties.
These special tasks are
- advising applicants and reviewing new applications for animal experimentation projects,
- handling applications for approval of animal experimentation projects and coordination with the supervisory authority (theLower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, LAVES),
- Monitoring compliance with regulations, conditions and requirements in the interests of animal welfarebefore, during and after the experiment ,
- promoting the development and introduction of procedures and means to avoid or restrict animal experiments,
- compiling statistical surveys on animal experiments in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and its ordinances.