Animal experiments

Animal experiments means when animals are used in basic and applied research, diagnosis of various diseases, development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs or chemical products, teaching where animals are put to death, surgical procedures on animals, injection, or blood collection from animals or if animals are caused suffering in other ways, or for purposes comparable to these. Modifying the genetic material of animals using genetic engineering or chemical methods is also an animal experiment. Likewise, breeding to retain a strain of animals with genetically altered material. A laboratory animal is an animal that we breed for or use in animal experiments and includes animals from laboratory mice to animals with radio transmitters in the wild. These animals are still considered laboratory animals if they are kept in a laboratory animal facility. Various permits and approvals are required for performing animal experiments. For example:

• Permit for breeding laboratory animals
• Permit for use of laboratory animals
• Application for approved laboratory animal facilities (permit to use the facility)
• Authorisation of contained use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
• Permit for import of animals, breeding material and animal products
• Application for CITES permit for import/export
• Authorisation to use animal by-products
• Permit application for the import, export, transport, and use of samples for research and diagnostics

Applications are sent to the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Staff caring for the animals must have appropriate training and skills. A regional ethics committee on animal testing must also approve each animal experiment before research begins. All facilities using, breeding, storing or otherwise handling laboratory animals must have an animal welfare committee. This committee must promote good animal welfare in its activities.