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Urge the Dutch Government to End the Use of Monkeys in Animal Experiments

At the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) near Rijswijk, the Netherlands – Europe's largest primate laboratory and breeding centre – at any given time approximately 1,500 monkeys are used for breeding and many are experimented on. They're often shaved, crudely tattooed, left prone to injuries as a result of drugging, placed in restraint cages, infected with debilitating diseases, and may be killed in full view of their companions. In 2017, 315 scientific procedures were conducted on monkeys at the BPRC, a marked increase from the previous year and the highest figure recorded at the facility in over a decade.

Yet the evidence documenting the overwhelming failure of animal experiments continues to grow. Scientists all around the world agree that data garnered from deliberately poisoning monkeys, giving them brain damage, or inducing infectious diseases in them can't be readily applied to humans.

So it’s not surprising that the market for human-relevant in vitro technology for use in biomedical research and testing is growing rapidly. If the BPRC and the Dutch government, which provides the centre with funding, want to stay ahead of the game when it comes to biomedical breakthroughs, they must move away from unreliable animal experiments and towards superior, non-animal methods.

PETA commends the Dutch government for aiming to become a global leader in animal-free science, but as long as monkeys continue to endure a living nightmare at the BPRC, this goal will never be reached.

Take Action

Please speak out for monkeys by signing our open letter urging the Dutch government to end the use of primates in experiments and make the transition to animal-free science. It can achieve this by supporting the BPRC in developing a plan to transfer the animals at the facility to reputable sanctuaries as soon as possible.

 

 

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Please End the Use of Non-Human Primates in Science

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To: Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality

Dear Ms Schouten,

Approximately 1,500 non-human primates are being held at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) near Rijswijk. They're often placed in restraint cages, infected with debilitating diseases, deliberately given brain damage, and may even be killed in full view of their companions. Yet there's a growing body of evidence that data from studies on non-human primates can't be readily applied to humans.

While the government works to make the transition to animal-free science, there must be a stronger push towards ending the use of primates in its entirety. We urge you to implement the following measures:

  • Assist the BPRC in developing a plan to end the breeding and use of non-human primates in experiments and to transfer the animals to reputable sanctuaries as soon as possible.
  •  Require the BPRC to conduct regular and transparent reporting on its progress towards ending animal experiments and breeding.
  • Develop a plan for ending the use of all non-human primates in experiments across the Netherlands.
  • Increase funding for the development of non-animal research methods.

By taking swift and decisive action, the government will not only spare sensitive, intelligent non-human primates immense suffering but also increase the likelihood of medical breakthroughs for humans.

Yours sincerely,  

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