The letter jointly issued by the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), and the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) extends formal support to Representative David Rouzer for his proposed amendment to H.R. 2, which seeks to revise the inspection schedule for research facilities under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The organizations highlight the context of the 21st Century Cures Act, which mandates the reduction of administrative burden on researchers while upholding animal welfare standards. They reference a collaborative workshop and subsequent report recommending the adoption of a risk-based inspection system, in which inspection frequency would be determined by each facility's compliance history rather than mandatory annual inspections. The letter underscores data indicating a significant reduction in research facility-specific violations and notes that a small percentage of facilities account for a disproportionate number of citations, supporting the argument for a more targeted regulatory approach.
The AAU, APLU, and COGR assert that aligning research facility inspections with the inspection practices already in place for other entities regulated under the AWA would both enhance regulatory efficiency and ensure continued protection of research animals. They emphasize their commitment to maintaining research integrity and animal welfare while alleviating unnecessary administrative burdens for federally funded researchers. The letter concludes with an expression of gratitude for legislative efforts that support both scientific advancement and responsible animal care, consistent with federal law and best practices in the research community.
