National Committee for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes of the Federal Republic of Germany

Based § 15a of  on the German Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG), the National Committee advises German competent authorities and animal welfare bodies on matters dealing with the acquisition, breeding, housing, care and use of animals in scientific procedures. The National Committee ensures an exchange of best practices within Germany and with other National Committees. It further exchanges information on the operation of animal welfare bodies and project evaluation with the European Union.

Only competent authorities and animal welfare bodies can submit inquiries to the National Committee. The National Committee regularly informs about current topics, recommendations and dialogue forums per email. In order to receive those information, animal welfare committees should External Link:register with the National Committee.

The National Committee advises German competent authorities and animal protection bodies on matters dealing with the acquisition, breeding, housing, care and use of animals in procedures based on the Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG).

To ensure the information exchange between the National Committee and German animal welfare committees, they are asked to register with the National Committee. Please use the following Download:formMeldung eines Tierschutzausschusses beim Nationalen Ausschuss (DOCX, 134 B, not accessible) for registration, de-registration and changes of registration.

Further information on current topics, advice, and recommendations of the National Committee as well as concerning the pool of experts can be found on our authority pages.

The National Committee prepares and publishes recommendations and opinions on specific issues raised by the competent authorities and animal welfare committees. In order to ensure the scientific quality and independence of its work, the National Committee cooperates closely with external experts and scientists from universities and non-university institutions as well as with representatives of professional associations and competent authorities.

The legal basis for the work of the National Committee is provided by:

• External Link:Article 49 of EU Directive 2010/63/EU
• External Link:§ 15a of the German Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG)
• External Link:§ 45 of the German ordinance on the protection of animals used for experiments or other scientific purposes (TierSchVersV)

Article 49 of EU Directive 2010/63/EU stipulates that each member state of the European Union should set up a national committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. In Germany, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment was entrusted with the tasks of the National Committee (§ 15a TierSchG) as result of an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act that came into force on 13 July 2013. § 45 TierSchVersV defines these tasks in detail.