Partnerships

Brussels, Belgium and Frederick, Maryland, USA
June 2020

The World Veterinary Association and AAALAC International sign agreement to promote animal health and welfare

The World Veterinary Association and AAALAC International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining ways the two organisations will work together to promote animal health and welfare. The World Veterinary Association (WVA) is an organisation that unites veterinary associations working in different areas of veterinary medicine around the world. AAALAC International accredits institutions around the globe that use animals in research, teaching and testing. As part of the MoU, both organisations commit to working together on specific goals to improve animal health and welfare worldwide. It also includes exchanging relevant publications and information pertaining to their core activities, participating in each other’s meetings and conferences when appropriate, and working together to create a joint action plan.

“The WVA looks forward to collaborating with AAALAC International to further the health and welfare of research animals studied around the world,” said Dr. Patricia Turner, WVA President.  “Research animals, including those studied in agricultural research and wildlife studied as part of ecosystem health initiatives, are not equally protected in every country, and veterinarians do not always receive sufficient training and education in how best to meet the needs of these animals. This MoU represents an opportunity for the WVA and AAALAC International to strengthen veterinarians’ education and role in this sector.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with the World Veterinary Association on the initiatives outlined in the MoU,” said Dr. Kathryn Bayne, Chief Executive Officer of AAALAC International. “While our missions are specific to the work of our respective organisations, we share a common aim of promoting animal health and welfare globally, and providing education that supports animal health and welfare. We look forward to working with the WVA to advance these important objectives.”

The World Veterinary Association unites and represents the global veterinary profession including national and international associations of veterinarians working in different areas of veterinary medicine. The WVA works to assure and promote animal health and welfare and public health globally, through developing and advancing veterinary medicine, the veterinary profession as well as public and private veterinary services. More information is available on WVA’s website: www.worldvet.org.

Paris
June 2014

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and AAALAC International

Considering that:

Chapter 7.8 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the OIE elaborates the importance of high ethical principles evidenced by the application of harm-benefit analysis, the 3Rs and humane endpoints in research animal activities;

The OIE provisions in Chapter 7.8 emphasize the importance of the oversight of animal research activities by impartial Competent Authorities and the caring management and conduct of research animal activities by well trained and competent personnel;

The OIE provisions in Chapter 7.8 delineate the operational elements that promote optimal welfare and humane animal use in scientific inquiry and education;

AAALAC International has long embraced the foregoing provisions as essential hallmarks for success in its singular, longstanding and impactful accreditation program to advance research animal welfare on a worldwide scale;

The OIE and AAALAC International (hereinafter referred to as the parties) have agreed to collaborate on the following issues of common interest:

• Promoting the health and welfare of animals used in research, testing and education.
• Promoting global harmonization of the standards governing the care and use of animals in research, testing and education.
• Promoting implementation of the OIE standards relevant to animals used in research, testing and education (i.e., Chapter 7.8 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code) and assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of the OIE standards in diverse national and research environments.
• Promoting and strengthening the training and competency of veterinarians and animal care personnel associated with institutions that use animals for research, testing and education.

The undersigned commit their respective organizations to the pursuit of these objectives through the following actions:

1. The parties will collaborate on education and outreach efforts (e.g., conferences, publications) that promote the health and welfare of animals used in research, testing and education.
2. The parties will collaborate on implementation of the OIE standards for the care and use of animals used in research, testing and education.
3. As appropriate, the parties will hold meetings and exchange views on issues of common interest.
4. As requested, the parties will propose experts to participate in AAALAC or OIE working groups or committees on subjects of mutual interest.
5. The parties will engage in reciprocal exchange of publications and other information sources on subjects of mutual interest.