Enhancing implementation of the 3Rs in daily practice - Which way to go?

In the Netherlands, like in many other countries, researchers are obliged by law to apply 3R methods in research using animals. Finding and implementing the 3Rs, however, remains a difficult task according to the results of our local and national survey among researchers. In the national survey questionnaires were also sent to Animal Welfare Officers (AWO) and members of Animal Ethic Committees (AEC). These groups also indicated that they experience practical difficulties in their legal obligations to apply the 3Rs. Implementation of 3R methods seems mainly to depend on a positive 3R-attitude of the researcher, a motivating and cooperative working environment, and an efficient professional network. During an intensive workshop, researchers, AWOs and AEC members elaborated on how 3R implementation in practice can be enhanced. It was the first time in the Netherlands that these different professions, affiliated with different organizations (including academia, industry and contract research organizations), came together to discuss this topic in depth. The workshop resulted in 6 consensus statements covering policy, education and daily practice. During the 8thWorld Congress of Alternatives the recommendations, based on the consensus statements, will be presented including the state of affairs concerning the first spin-off activities. In part, these survey results led to a focus shift of our research group towards implementation of systematic reviews of animal studies, a transparent and thorough method for accumulating and analyzing all relevant animal studies. Other suggestions for improvement will be made throughout the whole research chain, from public to researcher, from editor to legislator.