The Northwest Catholic District School Board last night agreed to eliminate the animal care committee as a statutory committee of the board due to a lack of animal research in its schools.
“The elementary schools within the jurisdiction of the Northwest Catholic District School Board do not fall under definition of a research facility nor are they registered,” Education Director Carol-Lynne Oldale reported at last night’s regular meeting here.
“Since the establishment of an animal care committee is only necessary if a registered research facility is involved, it does not appear necessary for the board to maintain [it] within the board committee structure,” she added.
The formation of the committee was established as per the Animals for Research Act of 1980, which was created to protect research animals, and provide human care and use of all animals in research.
Since the board here deals only with elementary schools, such a committee–which includes a veterinarian, a trustee, and school principals–is unnecessary.
But Oldale stressed eliminating the committee does not mean the board doesn’t care about the welfare of animals.
“As far as our schools are concerned, the committee would look to see if pets are treated properly in the classroom. And we can look to do that without a special committee,” she remarked.
“All we have in our classrooms is pets, and our principals are well aware them and capable of taking care them,” she added.
Animal experiments, such as frog dissections, are not conducted in classrooms under the board here (they’re usually only carried out at secondary school level).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
