The ICLAS/CCAC International Symposium on Regulatory Testing and Animal Welfare: Introduction and Overview

2The experts included representatives from national research and regulatory agencies, universities, and industry involved in chemicals, pesticides, and drug safety testing. Representatives from European, Canadian, and US animal welfare groups also participated in the discussions. The Symposium was organized by the International Council for Laboratory Animal Science (ICLAS 1 ) and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC 1 ), with the support and assistance of many sponsors and advisors listed elsewhere in the issue. ICLAS is a worldwide organization whose purpose is to foster international harmonization of animal care and use practices. CCAC is the national agency responsible for overseeing the ethical use of animals in Canadian science. Both organizations are committed to fostering an environment in which global efforts to harmonize testing procedures using animals in a more humane manner can be realized.