The Council for Experiments on Animals
In 1995, during the term of MK Ephraim Sneh as Minister of Health, the Council for Experiments on Animals was appointed for the first time. The council has 23 members, including medical professionals, representatives of the social sciences, representatives of the humanities, representatives of government ministries, a representative of the Manufacturers' Association, and representatives of animal rights organizations.[1] The council's roles include:
• Granting permits for, supervising and monitoring animal experiments.
• Setting rules for granting permits to carry out animal experiments and for how experiments are conducted (with the approval of the Minister of Health). The purpose of these rules is to reduce the suffering caused to animals during experiments and to prevent unnecessary experiments.
• Initiating information programs on topics within the council's field of activity, and developing training and instruction programs for researchers.
• Setting fees for obtaining permits to carry out animal experiments.
The Council for Experiments on Animals published the Animal Welfare Rules (Experiments on Animals), 2001. These rules are based on the regulations of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Universities, academic colleges, hospitals, research institutes and private companies that have declared the use of animals in research are required to comply with the law and the rules.
According to the law, permits to carry out experiments must be granted by a committee appointed by the council (the National Committee) or by internal committees of institutions that the council allows to set them up.
A council representative, a trained veterinarian, inspects and confirms that the facilities and housing conditions meet the criteria set out in the rules.
[1] Council members are selected on the recommendation of the institution they represent, and the Minister of Health formally approves their membership.