Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Section A: U.K. General section

1. The physical facilities U.K.

1.1. Functions and general design U.K.

(a) All facilities shall be constructed so as to provide an environment which takes into account the physiological and ethological needs of the species kept in them. Facilities shall also be designed and managed to prevent access by unauthorised persons and the ingress or escape of animals. U.K.

(b) Establishments shall have an active maintenance programme to prevent and remedy any defect in buildings or equipment. U.K.

1.2. Holding rooms U.K.

(a) Establishments shall have a regular and efficient cleaning schedule for the rooms and shall maintain satisfactory hygienic standards. U.K.

(b) Walls and floors shall be surfaced with a material resistant to the heavy wear and tear caused by the animals and the cleaning process. The material shall not be detrimental to the health of the animals and shall be such that the animals cannot hurt themselves. Additional protection shall be given to any equipment or fixtures so that they are not damaged by the animals nor do they cause injury to the animals themselves. U.K.

(c) Species that are incompatible, for example predator and prey, or animals requiring different environmental conditions, shall not be housed in the same room nor, in the case of predator and prey, within sight, smell or sound of each other. U.K.

1.3. General and special purpose procedure rooms U.K.

(a) Establishments shall, where appropriate, have available laboratory facilities for the carrying out of simple diagnostic tests, post-mortem examinations, and/or the collection of samples that are to be subjected to more extensive laboratory investigations elsewhere. General and special purpose procedure rooms shall be available for situations where it is undesirable to carry out the procedures or observations in the holding rooms. U.K.

(b) Facilities shall be provided to enable newly-acquired animals to be isolated until their health status can be determined and the potential health risk to established animals assessed and minimised. U.K.

(c) There shall be accommodation for the separate housing of sick or injured animals. U.K.

1.4. Service rooms U.K.

(a) Store-rooms shall be designed, used and maintained to safeguard the quality of food and bedding. These rooms shall be vermin and insect-proof, as far as possible. Other materials, which may be contaminated or present a hazard to animals or staff, shall be stored separately. U.K.

(b) The cleaning and washing areas shall be large enough to accommodate the installations necessary to decontaminate and clean used equipment. The cleaning process shall be arranged so as to separate the flow of clean and dirty equipment to prevent the contamination of newly-cleaned equipment. U.K.

(c) Establishments shall provide for the hygienic storage and safe disposal of carcasses and animal waste. U.K.

(d) Where surgical procedures under aseptic conditions are required there shall be provision for one or more than one suitably equipped room, and facilities provided for postoperative recovery. U.K.

2. The environment and control thereof U.K.

2.1. Ventilation and temperature U.K.

(a) Insulation, heating and ventilation of the holding room shall ensure that the air circulation, dust levels, and gas concentrations are kept within limits that are not harmful to the animals housed. U.K.

(b) Temperature and relative humidity in the holding rooms shall be adapted to the species and age groups housed. The temperature shall be measured and logged on a daily basis. U.K.

(c) Animals shall not be restricted to outdoor areas under climatic conditions which may cause them distress. U.K.

2.2. Lighting U.K.

(a) Where natural light does not provide an appropriate light/dark cycle, controlled lighting shall be provided to satisfy the biological requirements of the animals and to provide a satisfactory working environment. U.K.

(b) Illumination shall satisfy the needs for the performance of husbandry procedures and inspection of the animals. U.K.

(c) Regular photoperiods and intensity of light adapted to the species shall be provided. U.K.

(d) When keeping albino animals, the lighting shall be adjusted to take into account their sensitivity to light. U.K.

2.3. Noise U.K.

(a) Noise levels including ultrasound, shall not adversely affect animal welfare. U.K.

(b) Establishments shall have alarm systems that sound outside the sensitive hearing range of the animals, where this does not conflict with their audibility to human beings. U.K.

(c) Holding rooms shall where appropriate be provided with noise insulation and absorption materials. U.K.

2.4. Alarm systems U.K.

(a) Establishments relying on electrical or mechanical equipment for environmental control and protection, shall have a stand-by system to maintain essential services and emergency lighting systems as well as to ensure that alarm systems themselves do not fail to operate. U.K.

(b) Heating and ventilation systems shall be equipped with monitoring devices and alarms. U.K.

(c) Clear instructions on emergency procedures shall be prominently displayed. U.K.

3. Care of animals U.K.

3.1. Health U.K.

(a) Establishments shall have a strategy in place to ensure that a health status of the animals is maintained that safeguards animal welfare and meets scientific requirements. This strategy shall include regular health monitoring, a microbiological surveillance programme and plans for dealing with health breakdowns and shall define health parameters and procedures for the introduction of new animals. U.K.

(b) Animals shall be checked at least daily by a competent person. These checks shall ensure that all sick or injured animals are identified and appropriate action is taken. U.K.

3.2. Animals taken from the wild U.K.

(a) Transport containers and means of transport adapted to the species concerned shall be available at capture sites, in case animals need to be moved for examination or treatment. U.K.

(b) Special consideration shall be given and appropriate measures taken for the acclimatisation, quarantine, housing, husbandry, care of animals taken from the wild and, as appropriate, provisions for setting them free at the end of procedures. U.K.

3.3. Housing and enrichment U.K.

(a) Housing U.K.

Animals, except those which are naturally solitary, shall be socially housed in stable groups of compatible individuals. In cases where single housing is allowed in accordance with article 33(3) the duration shall be limited to the minimum period necessary and visual, auditory, olfactory and/or tactile contact shall be maintained. The introduction or re-introduction of animals to established groups shall be carefully monitored to avoid problems of incompatibility and disrupted social relationships.

(b) Enrichment U.K.

All animals shall be provided with space of sufficient complexity to allow expression of a wide range of normal behaviour. They shall be given a degree of control and choice over their environment to reduce stress-induced behaviour. Establishments shall have appropriate enrichment techniques in place, to extend the range of activities available to the animals and increase their coping activities including physical exercise, foraging, manipulative and cognitive activities, as appropriate to the species. Environmental enrichment in animal enclosures shall be adapted to the species and individual needs of the animals concerned. The enrichment strategies in establishments shall be regularly reviewed and updated.

(c) Animal enclosures U.K.

Animal enclosures shall not be made out of materials detrimental to the health of the animals. Their design and construction shall be such that no injury to the animals is caused. Unless they are disposable, they shall be made from materials that will withstand cleaning and decontamination techniques. The design of animal enclosure floors shall be adapted to the species and age of the animals and be designed to facilitate the removal of excreta.

3.4. Feeding U.K.

(a) The form, content and presentation of the diet shall meet the nutritional and behavioural needs of the animal. U.K.

(b) The animals’ diet shall be palatable and non-contaminated. In the selection of raw materials, production, preparation and presentation of feed, establishments shall take measures to minimise chemical, physical and microbiological contamination. U.K.

(c) Packing, transport and storage shall be such as to avoid contamination, deterioration or destruction. All feed hoppers, troughs or other utensils used for feeding shall be regularly cleaned and, if necessary, sterilised. U.K.

(d) Each animal shall be able to access the food, with sufficient feeding space provided to limit competition. U.K.

3.5. Watering U.K.

(a) Uncontaminated drinking water shall always be available to all animals. U.K.

(b) When automatic watering systems are used, they shall be regularly checked, serviced and flushed to avoid accidents. If solid-bottomed cages are used, care shall be taken to minimise the risk of flooding. U.K.

(c) Provision shall be made to adapt the water supply for aquaria and tanks to the needs and tolerance limits of the individual fish, amphibian and reptile species. U.K.

3.6. Resting and sleeping areas U.K.

(a) Bedding materials or sleeping structures adapted to the species shall always be provided, including nesting materials or structures for breeding animals. U.K.

(b) Within the animal enclosure, as appropriate to the species, a solid, comfortable resting area for all animals shall be provided. All sleeping areas shall be kept clean and dry. U.K.

3.7. Handling U.K.

Establishments shall set up habituation and training programmes suitable for the animals, the procedures and length of the project.