We are delighted that Brigitte Bardot has added her support to our international campaign calling on Air France to end its involvement in the cruel trade of monkeys for research.

Ms Bardot has written to Air France and asked them to follow other major airlines and stop these cruel shipments.  The campaign is a joint initiative between Cruelty Free International and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments. [www.eceae.org]

Brigitte Bardot said: “In continuing the transportation of monkeys to laboratories, Air France is encouraging horrific experiments on animals. This shameful business tarnishes the company’s image and I urge Air France to review its position. Please don’t let us down.”

Air France is now the only major European passenger airline still involved in the cruel transport of monkeys to laboratories. Each year, thousands of monkeys are packed into in the cargo holds of Air France planes, and flown around the world to suffer and die in experiments.

Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International and the ECEAE said: “We are delighted that Brigitte Bardot has joined the many voices urging Air France to place a permanent embargo on all primate shipments. Thanks to growing public pressure, many major international airlines have stopped their involvement. We now call on Air France to follow this trend and dissociate itself from this cruel trade.”

Find out which airlines do – and do not – transport monkeys for experiments.