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Non-human Primates

Answer

[holding answer 11 September 2006]: The UK cannot intervene directly in sovereign matters of other countries, and bushmeat has been a legitimate and acceptable food source for domestic consumption in many countries for generations. While some bushmeat may be entering the UK, it is understood not to be in significant quantities. Moreover, of the limited amount which may be entering the country, we consider the endangered-species element, including that of non-human primates, is likely to be at a very low level.The use of animals in experiments and other scientific procedures is strictly regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, for which the Home Office has the lead responsibility. Non-human primates are afforded special protection under the Act and there are stringent requirements regarding their use in scientific experiments. The use of wild-caught non-human primates is subject to supplementary additional considerations.The Home Office announced in 1997 that there are no foreseen circumstances under which licences under the 1986 Act for programmes of work involving the use of Great Apes (chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans) would be issued. In addition, exceptional justification would be required for the licensed use of other types of non-human primates taken from the wild.The 1986 Act provides that non-human primates, whether captive bred or wild-caught, can only be used when no other species are suitable for the purposes of the programme to be specified in the licence, or that it is not practicable to obtain animals of any other species that are suitable for those purposes. For the use of wild-caught primates to be exceptionally authorised, there must be no appropriate alternative, no suitable captive-bred animals available and the likely benefits of the programme of work would have to fully justify their use.The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate and the Animal Procedures Committee provide advice on a case-by-case basis on whether, and on what terms, such use should be licensed. Application of these stringent criteria has meant that first time use of wild-caught non-human primates in scientific procedures has not been licensed in the UK for some years.The import, export and re-export of primates is strictly regulated under Council Regulation 338/97, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora within the EU. The Government’s view is that primates are not suitable for the general pet trade. We currently limit imports of these species to specialist keepers who must be able to demonstrate that they are sufficiently well equipped and experienced to house and care for them. In July last year, Defra launched a public consultation regarding the use of powers under Article 8.2 of Council Regulation 338/97, which sought views on proposals designed to further restrict the keeping of certain CITES listed species, including primates.We propose to introduce a regulation under the Animal Welfare Bill to ban the use, in travelling circuses, of certain non-domesticated species whose welfare needs cannot be satisfactorily met in that environment. A Circus Working Group has been set up to advise on this proposal. We also intend to introduce Codes of Practice to cover all performing animals, not just those in circuses. This will address issues such as training activities, trainer competences and accommodation needs for animals when travelling.I would like to thank Animal Defenders International for their dossier ““Primate Nations.”” The use of animals, including non-human primates, in research and testing is an issue for which the Home Office has responsibility.A copy of the dossier will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

90837; 449 c2555-7W

Session

2005-06

Related items

Deposited Paper DEP 06/1715
Tuesday, 26 September 2006
Deposited papers
House of Commons

Subjects

Conservation Primates

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk