Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC)

10.1.2002

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0048/02
by Jens Okking (EDD)
to the Commission

I have received several letters from citizens in Denmark voicing concern over the Dutch Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), which receives EU support.

 

The Centre houses 1 500 primates in shocking and disgraceful conditions. Many of the monkeys are totally isolated in steel cages with no opportunity of displaying natural behaviour and in conditions that would not even be offered a monkey in a zoo.

 

Is the Commission aware of conditions at the Centre and can it explain how the EU gives money to ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (to animal experiments)) with one hand and, with the other, provides support for a major centre for experiments on animals?

OJ C 172 E, 18/07/2002