We call on British Airways, United Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Qatar Airways to stand firm in light of recent criticism that the airlines do not transport primates and other animals for use in research.

 

A pro-animal testing group in the US has submitted a formal complaint to the US Department of Transport that several international airlines are ‘discriminating’ against animal researchers for refusing to transport animals to laboratories. The National Association of Biomedical Research (NABR) says it is unlawful not to fly animals for use in testing while transporting the same animals for different reasons.

 

Despite mounting pressure from the multibillion-dollar animal research industry, we urge the airlines to ignore calls from researchers and uphold their bans.

 

Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said: “Airlines have the right to decide what or who they transport, and they should not be pressured by the animal-research industry or governments to act a certain way. It should be based on what’s best for the business, which includes respecting the animal-welfare wishes of its customers.”

 

Cruelty Free International has raised concerns about the suffering involved in the trade and transportation of primates and other animals for use in research for many years. We previously intervened in a similar case involving Air Canada and have successfully persuaded many of the world’s major airlines to stop their involvement or commit to not transporting primates and other animals destined for research.