True or False: Pain category information must be included in the annual report sent to the USDA by research facilities using regulated species.

The statement is true. Research facilities that use regulated species are required by the Animal Welfare Act to include information about pain and distress in their annual reports submitted to the USDA. This is essential for maintaining transparency and ensuring compliance with animal welfare regulations.

The inclusion of pain category information is a critical aspect of monitoring the well-being of animals used in research, as it provides insights into the types of procedures being conducted and their effects on the animals. By reporting this information, facilities contribute to the ongoing assessment of the impact of research practices on animal welfare and help shape policies aimed at enhancing care standards.

The annual report serves as a tool for oversight by governmental and regulatory bodies, ensuring that all research involving regulated species meets the established ethical standards. Consequently, it is necessary for all research facilities, not just those conducting studies on primates or those lasting longer than a year, to report pain category information, making the assertion completely valid.