MEPS view footage from inside labs as they decide the fate of lab primates

2 November 2009

Council of Ministers' common position to be decided in two weeks

At a crucial meeting in the European Parliament, key MEPs will examine shocking evidence showing the issues facing laboratory primates and review progress of the new Directive to secure measures for increased protection of animals in experiments.

This is a vital time to act as the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers are in trialogue discussions on whether to set restrictions on the areas of research primates may be used in and whether to end the trapping of wild monkeys by dealers. The Council of Ministers' common position is expected in just two weeks.

Leading the debate on Wednesday 4 November 2009, 18.30 hrs will be Raul Romeva (Greens), with Shadow Rapporteur, Draciana Octavia Sarbu (S & D), and Catherine Bearder (ALDE). It will take place at Room PHS 4B001 Brussels and is open to MEPs, their assistants and the media.

To inform the debate, Animal Defenders International will show evidence of wild monkeys being trapped for experiments, inside a laboratory monkey supplier's premises, experiments being performed on conscious monkeys and examples of modern alternatives to animal experiments.

The new Directive for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, which was proposed in 2008 to replace the outdated EC Directive 86/609/EC, provides the greatest opportunity in over 25 years to influence the use of primates in laboratories.

More than half of all MEPs in the European Parliament signed a Declaration in 2007, calling for a ban on the use of great apes and a timetable to phase out all primate experiments.

For more information, visit: www.savetheprimates.com

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