IMB NEWS

Last Wednesday, the IMB have provided an update on the status of the S.I. No 543 implementation.

They have issued approximately 50 individual authorizations to date, but not that many project authorizations. Regarding the publication of the non-technical project summary of these project authorizations, the IMB are now considering the sensitivities and a safe way to make them public (see updates on their website).

The IMB is working on and constantly updating its guidelines and the FAQ section to facilitate adherence to regulations and also the relevance and ease of use of current applications. Once they are confident that the existing forms will not need further changes, they will proceed to the development of the long time announced smart forms.

The IMB will issue shortly an "out of scope" application form and guidelines to provide researchers with a written confirmation that no authorization is required for those practices/protocols. Under the new legislation ear punching (EP) for the primary purpose of animal identification is not viewed as a procedure, although if it is carried out for the primary purpose of DNA testing it is viewed as a procedure. There are three circumstances:

1. EP under current CAA license: EP can continue until licence expires
2. EP for maintaining GA colony with no current license with harmful phenotype in the progeny: an authorization is required for breeding those animals and EP can be included in the application.
3. EP for maintaining GA colony with no current license with non-harmful phenotype in the progeny: an authorization is required if EP is done for DNA testing 

The IMB wants to emphasize the requirement of accredited training before researchers apply for individual authorizations to perform procedures or euthanasia in lab animals.

Finally, the IMB wishes to point out that issues of non-compliance should be communicated to the IMB.  The compliance officer in particular has the duty to report them to the IMB without fear and a suitable remedy will be put in place to safeguard the animal welfare. IMB inspectors now carry warrants including their photograph which mandate the named person to carry pout the tasks required by the legislation.