Importation of Primates for Medical Research

Issue

Importation of primates for medical research.

Response

The importation of non-human primates for research is regulated by both the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and the Wildlife Trade Regulation Section of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

The Australian Government acknowledges requests for an immediate ban on the importation of primates to be made through the pending review of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Policy on the Care and Use of Non-Human Primates for Scientific Purposes. This Policy currently states that non-human primates must be sourced from within Australia whenever possible, and that non-human primates imported from overseas must not be taken from wild populations. Imported non-human primates must, under the Policy, be accompanied by documentation to certify their status.

Members of the public are encouraged to make a submission during the future public consultation phase of the review of the Policy, however, the creation and implementation of a ban is not a matter that falls within the NHMRC’s responsibilities.

Reviewed: 18 April 2013