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NON-HUMAN PRIMATES

: : European Parliament adopted Written Declaration

n°40!

This Declaration comes at a crucial moment with the Commission preparing their proposal for the revision of Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection of animals used for experimental and scientific purposes.

With 433 signatures, the Declaration received much more than the required number (393)of signatures representing the majority of Members of the European Parliament. It therefore becomes an official European Parliament resolution, a formal position requesting action from the Commission.

: : What does the Written Declaration call for?

The Written Declaration on primates in scientific experiments calls for:

	a phase-out on the use of Great Apes and wild-caught non-human primates
	a timetable to replace primate use with alternatives

: : Why did MEPs adopt the Declaration?

	The revision of current Directive 86/609 is long overdue. This legislation has remained unchanged since 1986 and new scientific developments and societal expectations over the past 20 years make it urgent and necessary for this legislation to be revised and improved.
	The Declaration addresses the serious concern of the public relating to primate research.

	Alternative approaches do exist.
	The Declaration can be an incentive towards a ban on Great Apes and Wild-caught primates in scientific experiments.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Written Declaration on Primates in Scientific Experiments

Written Declaration adopted!:
List of signatories
(433 at 6 September!)

Eurogroup Press Release
(5 Sep. 07)

% of MEPs who signed
(per country)

Eurogroup letter to MEPs

Eurogroup's ad in European Voice (Jul. 07)

NGOs Resolution on Primates

A FEW FACTS

Primates share 90% of their DNA with humans

93 % of Europeans believe more needs to be done in the EU to improve the level of welfare of animals used in experiments

82.9 %and 81.1 % of Europeans respectively are most concerned about Great apes and other non-human primates

Across the EU around 10,000 primates are used in research and testing each year