[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 56 (Friday, March 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 17679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06661]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Implementation of the Updated American Veterinary Medical 
Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition

SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is providing guidance 
to Public Health Service (PHS) awardee institutions on implementation 
of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for 
the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition (Guidelines). The NIH is 
seeking input from the public on any concerns they may have regarding 
the updated Guidelines.

DATES: Public concerns regarding the updated AVMA Guidelines for the 
Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition must be submitted electronically at 
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2013avmaguidelines_comments/add.cfm?ID=32 by May 31, 2013, in order to be considered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, 
Office of Extramural Research, NIH, RKL1, Suite 360, 6705 Rockledge 
Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-7982; phone 301-496-7163; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) oversees PHS-
funded animal activities by the authority of the Health Research 
Extension Act of 1985 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm) and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory 
Animals (PHS Policy; http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm). The PHS Policy IV.C.1.G. (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm#ReviewofPHS-ConductedorSupportedResearchProjects) requires that Institutional 
Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) reviewing PHS-conducted or -
supported research projects, determine if methods of euthanasia used in 
projects will be consistent with the recommendations of the AVMA Panel 
on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons 
in writing by the investigator.
    PHS-Assured institutions are encouraged to begin using the 2013 
Guidelines as soon as possible when reviewing research projects, and 
full implementation is expected after September 1, 2013. Previously 
approved projects undergoing continuing review according to PHS Policy 
IV.C.5. (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm#ReviewofPHS-ConductedorSupportedResearchProjects), which 
requires a complete de novo review at least once every 3 years, must be 
reviewed using the 2013 Guidelines after September 1, 2013.

II. Electronic Access

    The AVMA has issued and posted an update to the 2007 Guidelines on 
Euthanasia with a new title, AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of 
Animals: 2013 Edition, available at https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf (PDF).

    Dated: March 14, 2013.
Francis S. Collins,
Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2013-06661 Filed 3-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P