End testing on primates

Finally, last November the European Commission announced the long awaited revision of the directive on the use of animals in experiments. The revision of this directive, which is over 20 years out-of-date, is great news for the animal world and humans alike.

The directive, which is currently being examined by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, contains improvements to the conditions under which animals for experimentation are kept. It also commits the EU to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in scientific experimentation.

I am, however, dismayed to discover that the Commission has failed to set a timetable to end the use of primates in experimentation. Although the proposal introduces more stringent criteria for testing on non-human primates, there are a number of loopholes which permit the continual use of primates for testing.

The use of monkeys and apes in testing is a barbaric practice. Not only are there ethical questions over the use of animals in testing, but also testing on primates also often produces inconsistent results and with scientific development providing real alternatives is utterly indefensible in today's society. These highly intelligent creatures are often confined in appalling conditions and subject to rigorous invasive procedures causing varying amounts of pain, suffering and distress.

In the Parliament we need to show our support for the complete phase out of the use of primates for experimentation without the current loopholes in the Commission's proposal. With 55% of Euro MEPs having signed the original Written Declaration 40/2007 (which called for an urgent end to the use of great apes and wild-caught monkeys in experiments, and the establishment of a timetable to bring an end to the use of all primates in experiments) we can hope that this practice will soon be phased out in Europe, setting a global precedent.

For more information about the proposal and the effect on primates please see Animal Defenders International website: http://www.savetheprimates.org/