Zimbabwe Launches NAREC to Safeguard Animals and Strengthen Research Integrity

The National Animal Research Ethics Committee (NAREC), recently constituted by statutory mandate (SI 246 of 2021) under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development through the Directorate of Veterinary Services, has formally stepped onto Zimbabwe’s scientific stage.  Its establishment signals a decisive move to ensure that every animal-based study upholds the highest standards of care and ethical responsibility.

NAREC’s central mandate is to safeguard animal welfare throughout the research process, scrutinising proposals to guarantee humane treatment while fostering credible, high-quality scientific output.  As such, no animal-related investigation may begin without the committee’s approval, a requirement designed to protect animals and strengthen the integrity and global acceptance of Zimbabwe’s research findings.

Launching a national awareness campaign today at Midlands State University and set to continue at Lupane State University and the National UniversityofScienceandTechnology (NUST), NAREC underscored its mission.  “Our foremost duty is to see that animal welfare is never compromised,” affirmed NAREC chairperson Dr. Makaya.  “Ethical research is not only about compassion; it is the foundation of reliable, internationally respected results.”

The ongoing awareness campaigns and institutional discussions are equally designed to build lasting partnerships. By engaging researchers and academic leaders directly, NAREC aims to foster a collaborative relationship in the shared pursuit of responsible science and superior research output. This dialogue encourages universities and laboratories to see ethical oversight not as a hurdle, but as a catalyst for innovation and global recognition,  asserted Dr. Makaya.

By uniting rigorous oversight with education, NAREC invites researchers to pursue innovation anchored in responsibility, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s scientific output remains both ethically sound and globally competitive.