The following excerpts on the need for literature searches to find alternatives to the use of animals in painful experiments and to avoid unnecessary duplication of research (9 CFR, Title 1, Subchapter A-Animal Welfare, § 2.31(d)(ii)) are from House [of Representatives] Report 103-499 on the Fiscal Year 1995 Defense Authorization Act.
"...The committee notes that the Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General (IG) found two DOD facilities "not substantially in compliance" with DOD regulations and the Animal Welfare Act. Although the IG identified the items of noncompliance as "procedural weaknesses," the committee notes that they include items critical to ensuring that animal research is appropriate (e.g., training, literature searches for alternatives) and is subject to appropriate oversight (e.g., semiannual inspections; complaint procedures). The committee directs termination of animal research at the non-compliant facilities at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School in San Antonio, Texas, and at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Institute Detachment in Lima, Peru, until they are accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care." (p.126) [Ed. note: In Conference Report 103-701, "The conferees note that since the House report (103-499) was issued, DOD has applied for AAALAC accreditation for the two noncompliant facilities. The conferees applaud the Department's expeditious efforts... and direct the termination of animal use at these facilities one year from the enactment of this act only if they have failed to achieve AAALAC accreditation by that date." (p.619)]
"...The first annual report on animal care and use programs also highlights a concern previously noted by a General Accounting Office (GAO) report (GAO/NSIAD-91-68) which addressed the inadequacy of searches to avoid unintended duplications of research." (p. 127)
"...The committee directs the Comptroller General to review selected DOD animal research programs and activities as follow-up to earlier studies (GAO/NSIAD-91-68; GAO/HRD-92-30) to identify areas of concern regarding military justification, duplication, and management of DOD animal research; and to make recommendations that will ensure that such research is focused on validated military need, is non-duplicative, and is effectively managed." (p. 127)
"...The committee reiterates its direction in H.R. 2401, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (House Report 102-527) that the Secretary [of Defense] establish aggressive programs to replace, reduce, and refine current uses of animals." (p. 127).
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