Date: 2026-05-11Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India Organises National Conference on Laboratory Animal Welfare to Promote Ethical and Responsible Research
**Executive Summary**
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) organized a National Conference on “Laboratory Animal Welfare: Policies and Best Practices” in New Delhi on May 11, 2026. The conference aimed to strengthen ethical research standards, foster collaboration among scientific and regulatory stakeholders, and ensure the humane treatment of laboratory animals. Key action items include balancing scientific innovation with compassion and ensuring strict institutional compliance with national and international welfare guidelines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Regulatory Oversight and Compliance**
* The Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA) serves as the primary regulator of animal welfare standards across research institutions and animal houses nationwide.
* Institutional compliance and self-awareness regarding CCSEA guidelines are essential for maintaining ethical research environments.
* Effective implementation of regulatory frameworks is required to meet both national and international best practice benchmarks.
* **Ethical and Humane Research Practices**
* Scientific advancement in drug discovery and vaccine development must prioritize minimal pain and suffering for animals.
* True technological progress requires a balance where research development is accompanied by sensitivity, dignity, and ethical responsibility toward living beings.
* The Government of India reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and responsible research practices that uphold animal welfare.
* **Scientific and Economic Objectives**
* Animal research remains critical to addressing increasing health-related challenges and fostering scientific innovation.
* Effective animal health measures, such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination programs, are highlighted as vital for the growth and export potential of the dairy sector.
* The conference provided a platform for experts to deliberate on advancements in laboratory animal science and resolve institutional-level issues.
**Impact Analysis**
**Research Institutions and Universities**
**Impact**
These entities are responsible for the practical application of research and the maintenance of animal houses under regulatory scrutiny.
**Action Required**
They must ensure strict adherence to CCSEA guidelines and align their research protocols with international welfare benchmarks.
**Scientists and Veterinary Professionals**
**Impact**
As the primary practitioners, they are tasked with conducting research that is both innovative and ethically sound.
**Action Required**
They must adopt humane practices that minimize animal suffering and participate in ongoing deliberations regarding laboratory animal science.
**Institutional Animal Ethics Committees (IAECs)**
**Impact**
These committees act as the internal monitoring bodies for institutional research ethics and compliance.
**Action Required**
They need to interact regularly with CCSEA to resolve institutional issues and ensure transparent oversight of animal use in scientific experiments.
**Regulatory Authorities (CCSEA and AWBI)**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for setting standards and supervising experiments on animals across the country.
**Action Required**
They must continue to provide guidance, suggest solutions for institutional challenges, and promote self-awareness among stakeholders to maintain high welfare standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA): The regulatory body responsible for supervising animal experiments and enforcing welfare standards across research institutions and animal houses.
National Conference on “Laboratory Animal Welfare: Policies and Best Practices”: A national platform organized to strengthen laboratory animal welfare standards, promote ethical research, and foster collaboration among regulatory authorities and scientists.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD): The specific government department that organized the conference to facilitate deliberations on humane animal care and institutional compliance.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying: The primary central ministry overseeing the policy framework and regulatory oversight for animal welfare and husbandry in India.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying,
Government of India Organises National
Conference on Laboratory Animal Welfare to
Promote Ethical and Responsible Research
Posted On: 11 MAY 2026 8:08PM by PIB Delhi
The Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CCSEA), under the Department
of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, organized a National Conference on
“Laboratory Animal Welfare: Policies and Best Practices” in New Delhi today. The conference aimed
at strengthening laboratory animal welfare standards, promoting ethical and responsible research practices,
and fostering collaboration among policymakers, scientists, veterinarians, regulatory authorities, and
institutional representatives from across the country.
The conference served as an important platform for deliberations on humane and ethical practices in
laboratory animal care and use, effective implementation of regulatory frameworks, advancements in
laboratory animal welfare, institutional compliance, and adoption of national and international best
practices.The event was graced by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister for
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, as the Chief Guest, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel,
Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj; Shri
George Kurian, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and
Minority Affairs; and Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised that while animal-based research
continues to play a crucial role in scientific advancement, vaccine development, and drug discovery, it is
equally important to ensure minimal pain and suffering through ethical and humane practices. He
highlighted the pivotal role of CCSEA in regulating animal welfare standards across research institutions
and animal houses nationwide. He emphasized strengthening research and innovation in line with
international benchmarks while strictly adhering to animal welfare guidelines and highlighted the
importance of effective vaccination programmes such as FMD for enhancing dairy sector growth and
export potential.Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying and Panchayati Raj highlighted that scientific progress must move forward with compassion
and responsibility. India’s vision is not only innovation in research, but also ensuring dignity, care, and
ethical treatment for every living being.
Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
and Minority Affairs, emphasized that scientific advancement must always be guided by compassion and
ethical values. He stated that true technological progress lies not only in innovation, but also in ensuring
dignity, care, and respect for every living being.
Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying,
Government of India, stated that as India experiences rapid growth, health-related challenges are also
increasing, making scientific research more critical than ever. He emphasized the need to strike a careful
balance and harmony between scientific progress and animal welfare, so that development is accompanied
by sensitivity and ethical responsibility.
The conference witnessed participation from representatives of research institutions, universities,
Institutional Animal Ethics Committees, veterinary professionals, Nominees and Members of CCSEA,
Members of AWBI and government agencies from across the nation. The National Conference reaffirmed
the Government of India’s strong commitment to promoting responsible, ethical, and transparent research
practices while ensuring the humane treatment and welfare of animals used for scientific purposes.Apart from the inaugural session, the technical session was also held on the theme : Policies and Best
Practices of Research on Animals and their Welfare, wherein the experts and professionals of laboratory
animal science have deliberated and recognised the contributions of CCSEA.
The Conference concluded with an interactive session where the participants and Members of CCSEA
interacted and discussed the issues being faced by them at the institutional level. The Committee
suggested ways out for their issues and also emphasised that self-awareness and compliance with
guidelines of CCSEA are important for maintaining animal welfare and research.
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JP.
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