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Animal Welfare Act 1999

Use of animals in research, testing, and teaching - Power of Minister to approve research or testing

118: Power of Minister to approve research or testing

You could also call this:

"The Minister can allow animal research without extra approval if it helps New Zealand."

The Minister can let someone do research or testing on animals without getting approval from an animal ethics committee if they think it is necessary for the country. You need to think about whether the research will help keep New Zealand safe from diseases or pests, or if it will help the country meet its international obligations. The Minister also thinks about whether the research will help keep people or animals healthy.

The Minister usually talks to the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee before making a decision about research or testing. But the Minister does not need to do this if the research is related to an emergency. If the Minister says someone can do research or testing, then some other rules do not apply, like the rules in section 82 or section 83. This means that the person doing the research does not have to follow those rules.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM51245.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Farming and fishingHealth and wellbeing > Public health
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Part 6Use of animals in research, testing, and teaching
Power of Minister to approve research or testing

118Power of Minister to approve research or testing

  1. The Minister may authorise any person or organisation to carry out research or testing without the approval of an animal ethics committee where the Minister is satisfied that such research or testing is necessary in the national interest.

  2. In considering whether the research or testing is necessary in the national interest, the Minister must have regard to the following matters:

  3. whether the research or testing is necessary for the purpose of protecting New Zealand's biosecurity interests:
    1. whether the research or testing relates to matters that affect or are likely to affect or are relevant to New Zealand's international obligations:
      1. whether the research and testing is necessary for the purpose of protecting human or animal health.

        1. Subject to subsection (4), the Minister must consult with the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee before exercising the powers conferred on the Minister by subsection (1).

        2. Subsection (3) does not apply in any case where the research or testing is necessary in relation to the exercise of emergency powers under other Acts.

        3. Nothing in section 82 or section 83 applies in relation to the carrying out of research or testing authorised by the Minister under subsection (1).