Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 3/10/15


An independent animal handling and welfare panel that visited a government animal research center saw no evidence of animal abuse or inadequate care.

The panel observed the United States Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., to evaluate its animal care and use program after a New York Times article in January raised questions about how animals are treated there.

“Based upon the observations of the panel members no evidence of poor animal handling, animal abuse, or inadequate veterinary care was observed or identified,” the panel concluded in a pre-public hearing report released Monday.

The report continued: “However, the facility was found to not be in full compliance with [USDA's Agricultural Research Service] policies and procedures in that the facility did not fully comply with the intent or guidance within the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animal is Research and Teaching, particularly in regards to the conduct and documentation of animal handling training programs and the conduct of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.”

The panel has provided recommendations to assist the center to become compliant with ARS policies and procedures and with best practices in the field of animal research.

Panel members included Aaron Olsen, Chair (Utah State University); Lonny Dixon (University of Missouri); Stephen Ford (University of Wyoming); Mo Salman (Colorado State University); John Clifford, Ex-Officio Member (USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

Public comments are invited on the draft report through March 18, and the panel will also hold a teleconference call on March 18 to receive public input.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.