We are disappointed that a bill to ban the import of primates to Australia for research has not been supported by the Australian Senate.

A committee was appointed by the Senate to review the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Bill, introduced by Senator Lee Rhiannon.  This week it said that primates remained important for medical research globally.

Our report was submitted to the committee and highlighted the harmful impact of trapping and transporting monkeys from South East Asia. We also raised public and scientific concerns about the use of monkeys in research.

Despite this setback, the proposed bill and the campaign by Humane Research Australia has placed issues surrounding the trade and use of primates in research on the global agenda. And it’s resulted in debates and widespread media coverage.

Sarah Kite, Cruelty Free International Director of Special Projects said: “We are extremely disappointed that the Australian Senate has not seen fit to support the proposal to ban the import of primates for research purposes. The trade in monkeys for research inflicts great suffering and is an issue that raises strong public concern. Our campaign to end the cruel global trade in these highly social and intelligent animals continues."

Find out about our campaign to end the trade and use of monkeys in research.