Which document must a project licence holder provide to justify their research?

The requirement for a project licence holder to provide a scientific justification and purpose for their research is fundamental to ensuring that the research conducted is necessary and ethical. This document outlines the objectives of the research, the scientific reasoning behind it, and how it intends to contribute to knowledge or advancements in a particular field.

Providing a clear scientific justification helps regulatory bodies assess whether the potential benefits of the research outweigh any potential harms to animals involved. It emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in animal research and ensures that all proposed studies are critically evaluated before proceeding. This is essential in promoting responsible use of animals in research while also supporting scientific progress.

Other documents, while possibly related to different aspects of the project, do not fulfill the specific requirement of indicating the rationale and scientific merit behind the research. For example, an animal behaviour report or summary of previous research may provide background context, but they don’t serve to justify the research in the way that a scientific justification does. Similarly, an Animal Welfare Compliance Document pertains more to adherence to ethical standards rather than the justification of the research itself.