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• The New Zealand Society of Animal Production (NZSAP) acknowledges that animals are sentient and it matters to NZSAP how animals are treated. NZSAP also notes that research can contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge, to improvements in the health and well-being of man and animals, and to maintain an appropriate balance in ecosystems.
   

• Any experimental undertaking must be ethically acceptable, accepting that:
   

1. some harms should not be inflicted on animals, no matter what the benefit;
    

2. any harm requires justification and must be outweighed by the realistic benefits likely to accrue;
    

3. any harms should be minimised as much as possible; and
    

4. if there are other ways of achieving the same result, then they should be investigated.
    

• The Editor of the Society’s Proceedings reserves the right not to publish on account of, animal welfare or ethical grounds, or because the use of particular animals and/or techniques used may have put endangered species or populations at risk.
   

• The research must be undertaken in accordance with institutional, and legal requirements and/or follow published guidelines such as the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes or the New Zealand Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. A statement to that effect should be made in the manuscript.
   

• The work must adhere to the highest possible standards for the humane treatment of animals such that:
   

1. adequate steps were taken to ensure that animals did not suffer any unnecessary pain or distress at any stage of the experiment;
    

2. animals were housed, fed and cared for to maintain comfort and health and were under the direct supervision of an experienced investigator and
    

3. all research animals were legally acquired, retained and used.
    

• A report suggesting that animals have been subjected to adverse, stressful or harsh conditions or treatments will only be processed for publication if the author convincingly demonstrates that the knowledge gained was of sufficient value to justify the adverse conditions or treatment imposed.
   

• Consideration must be given to:
   

1. the appropriateness of the animal species including, if necessary, why non-sentient or less sentient animals were not used;
    

2. the minimum number needed to meet scientific and/or statistical standards (studies with unwarranted numbers or rare or endangered species may not be accepted) or
    

3. alternative methods of achieving the results including the use of in-vitro models.
    

• Appropriate anaesthetic, analgesic and tranquillising agents must be used on animals subjected to invasive procedures, and their amounts and frequency and route of administration of all drugs and chemicals, must be stated. Approved methods of euthanasia must be used.