ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2002 - SECT 49

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2002 - SECT 49

49 .         Direction to suspend use and referral to animal ethics committee

        (1)         A scientific inspector who reasonably suspects a person is using animals for scientific purposes in a manner contrary to —

            (a)         the scientific use code; or

            (b)         the approval given by the relevant animal ethics committee,

                may refer the matter to the relevant animal ethics committee for reconsideration.

        (2)         If a referral is made under subsection (1) the person using the animal must stop that use until the matter has been approved by the relevant animal ethics committee under subsection (3).

        Penalty: $20 000 and imprisonment for one year.

        (3)         An animal ethics committee must consider a referral under subsection (1) as if it were an application under the scientific use code made by the person using the animals for approval to use animals for the purpose, and in the manner, referred to in that subsection.