L'AFSTAL est une association française loi 1901, fondée en 1972, au service des personnes impliquées dans l'expérimentation animale pour les aider à se former, s'informer et diffuser leur savoir-faire dans ce domaine, le but étant d'adopter une conduite éthique et d'améliorer l'expérimentation « in vivo ».

L'AFSTAL compte un nombre important d'adhérents (550 en Mai 2009).
Elle accomplit ses missions d'information, de formation, et de représentation par différents moyens :
- des commissions pérennes (technique « ComTech », vétérinaire « ComVet », formation « ComEd »).
- des groupes de travail organisés autour de thématiques d'actualités et ouverts à tous les adhérents qui souhaitent y participer (par exemple un groupe de travail travaille actuellement sur la traduction de versions françaises de supports pédagogiques DVDs et internets sur les bonnes pratiques animales).
- des réunions d'informations et d'échanges (symposium annuel de la ComTech, réunions biannuelles ComVet, Ateliers de formation itinérants, Colloque annuel AFSTAL).
- la revue STAL publie des articles en français pour être accessible à tous les personnels francophones travaillant en recherche biomédicale.
- le site web permet de communiquer de façon plus réactive que par la revue et de mettre à disposition des ressources d'accès public ou restreint aux seuls membres AFSTAL..
- certains membres AFSTAL bénévoles représentent l'association et l'ensemble des professionnels de la recherche biomédicale auprès des instances nationales et internationales qui influencent notre pratique quotidienne (par exemple : CNEA, CNREEA, groupes de travail FELASA).

Comme toute association loi 1901, l'AFSTAL est gérée par un Conseil d'Administration élu par ses adhérents en Assemblée générale Annuelle (12 membres pour un mandat de 3 ans renouvelable une fois).

HISTORY AND ROLE OF AFSTAL

“L'Association Française des Sciences et Techniques de l'Animal de Laboratoire” – AFSTAL (French Association for Laboratory Animal Science & Techniques) was originally founded as “Société Française d'Expérimentation Animale”- SFEA (French Society for Animal Experimentation) in 1972.

The main goals of the AFSTAL are to promote:

. the exchange of scientific knowledge and techniques related to laboratory animals;

. education and training in the field of laboratory animals;

. good practices respecting laboratory animal welfare, following the principles of the 3R's (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement);

. the rationale use of laboratory animals.

ORGANIZATION

AFSTAL brings together people working in the field of laboratory animals. This includes scientists and technicians. The Association is managed by an administrative board of 12 members, each of whom is elected by the AFSTAL members present at the general assembly occurring during the AFSTAL annual meeting. The board members are elected for 3 years. A third of the board is renewed every year. The board members are responsible for appointing the President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer. The administrative board meets on a monthly basis to determine the AFSTAL polices and actions. Applications to become a member of AFSTAL must be supported by 2 AFSTAL members. The administrative board finally decides wether or not to accept the application. The number of AFSTAL members is about 550.

The current officers are :

President : Marion BERARD; Vice-President : Hélène COMBRISSON; Treasurer : Samuel VIDAL; Secretary : Christophe CHARNAY.

ACTIVITIES

■ Yearly Scientific Meeting

AFSTAL Annual Scientific Meeting which normally lasts for 2 to 3 days in different towns of France. A large trade exhibition is included. A full social programme is organized, including a commercial exhibition and a gala dinner. The AFSTAL general assembly takes place during this annual scientific meeting.

Recent symposia :

The last Symposium was held in Nantes on June 3rd- 5th 2009. The theme was: “Health, Safety and Security. 414 persons attended the meeting (a total of 720 people were present on the site).

The next Symposium is to be held in November 2010.

■ Working Groups

Three specialized commissions are involved:

1) The “Technical Working Group” (Commission Technique, ComTech) which promotes the role of animal technicians by organizing free workshops and meetings.

This commission had its annual meeting in Paris on January 29, 2007. The theme was the laboratory animals' senses (the title was “Sens dessus dessous, donner un sens à son travail”). More than 300 persons attended the meeting.

2) The “Training Working Group” (Commission Education, ComEd) which promotes training for best practices in biomedical research. They organize training sessions, called “Ateliers du Tour de France” all around France. The first two topics of these workshops were laboratory animal nutrition and health management and control. The working group also makes proposals to various authorities in order to improve education and training programmes.

3) The “Veterinary Working Group” (Commission Vétérinaire, ComVet) which develops exchanges between veterinarians, animal facility managers and animal technicians. The last meetings were devoted to the pathology and health management of primates (more specifically with respect to the “Management of the Herpes B infection within Monkey Units”) and to the regulatory and best practices for the use of drugs in laboratory animal practice.

■ Sponsorship

AFSTAL promotes, and financially supports, specific courses, and scientific or technical studies involving laboratory animals.

AFSTAL may also help to financially support the costs linked to the involvement of French AFSTAL members in courses on laboratory animal science in French-speaking countries (e.g. this was done in Tunisia).

PUBLICATIONS

■ STAL (“Sciences et Techniques de l'Animal de Laboratoire”) is AFSTAL's quarterly journal published in French.

The journal accepts and publishes original and translated articles, general reviews and monographs.

The articles have to be related to:

- biology, pathology, genetics of laboratory animals,

- description and development of breeding and experimental models,

- definition and rationalisation of animal models,

- modifications in the national and international regulations.

■ AFSTAL News is AFSTAL Newsletter. It is sent every 3 to 4 Months, depending on the news, and helps the association to keep their members updated on of the latest news related to our field.

■ The Association Directory is for AFSTAL members only.

■ Publication of scientific or technical textbooks, CDs or DVDs. It s also AFSTAL's mission to produce or help their members to produce all the material that can be used to better train professionals working in Biomedical Research.

REPRESENTATION

Representation in France

AFSTAL is represented by one of its member at the CNEA board (Commission Nationale de l'Expérimentation Animale / National Commission for Animal Experimentation), a national advisory regulatory authority.

AFSTAL is represented in the CNREEA (Comité National de Réflexion Ethique sur l'Expérimentation Animale / National Committee-Think Tank on Ethics in Animal Experimentation).

Representation in Europe

AFSTAL is a member of FELASA, which links the main European associations related to Laboratory Animals. AFSTAL has co-hosted two FELASA Symposia co-organized by FELASA: in Lyon (1990) and in Nantes (2004).

AFSTAL members are involved in COST B24 actions and also in different FELASA working groups.

International representation

AFSTAL is a scientific member of ICLAS (International Council of Laboratory Animal Science).

AFSTAL also maintains continuous links with national and international scientific societies and animal welfare associations.