MP backs move to stop experiments on monkeys

The Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Annette Brooke, has signed a new parliamentary petition calling for an end to primate testing.

It comes as MEPs debate changes to the animal testing regulations right across Europe for the first time in more than two decades. They are in the unique   position to decide if primates will continue to be used in experiments or if steps will be taken to start the move away from animal testing.

EDM 1042 states, "That this House is concerned to note that thousands of primates are used in experiments across Europe each year; further notes with deep regret that the European Commission refuses to implement a ban on live primate experiments across Europe; further notes that this is contrary to the wishes of 80 per cent of the population; and therefore calls on the Government to promote strongly a time tabled replacement of all primate experiments in Europe."

The co-sponsors of EDM 1042 are Independent MP for Castle Point, Bob Spink, and Torbay's Liberal Democrat MP, Adrian Sanders.

The EDM builds momentum for the UK to take a strong stand on the use of primates in experiments. The European Commission has supported implementing a ban on the use of great apes and wild-caught primates, and a phase-out of all primate experiments, but there has been a strong backlash from the primate trade and user industries, who have managed to insert loopholes in the plans for a phase-
out. This is despite the European Parliament adopting Written Declaration 40/2007 calling for a timetable to phase out primate testing, which was signed by 55% of MEPs, making it the most-backed animal protection measure in history.

A European Commission survey found that over 80% of European citizens felt that primate experiments were unacceptable.

Jan Creamer, ADI Chief Executive, commented: "I am delighted that Annette Brooke MP has looked at the evidence and supports putting a stop to primat experiments. Apes and monkeys are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, and we can clearly comprehend how these animals suffer inside laboratories. I urge more MPs to sign the EDM and signal unequivocally to the Government that it needs to strongly promote a timetable to replace all primate experiments in Europe. These tests can and must be replaced by reliable human based research."