The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that non-human primates are only used in scientific procedures if no other species is suitable. In deciding whether to grant a licence for any regulated procedure, the 1986 Act requires that the likely benefits of the programme are weighed against the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned and that there are no alternatives which, either, replace animal use entirely, reduce the number of animals needed or refine the procedures to minimise suffering. We must also be satisfied that the procedures are likely to achieve the stated objectives.
According to our records, the longest actual or estimated journey times for non-human primates imported into the United Kingdom for research purposes in the period 1999 to 2006 were as set out in the following table. We hold no information for 1997 or 1998.
In accordance with measures introduced in 1996, the Home Office only requires an estimated total journey time to be provided prior to each acquisition and that, after each acquisition, confirmation is provided that the importation was in accordance with what had been authorised. There is no obligation for licence holders to provide a detailed journey record or a precise total journey time.
China Mauritius Indonesia Philippines Vietnam Israel 1999 46.75 34.00 No Imports NTA1 No Imports 1NTA 2000 75.00 51.00 No Imports No Imports No Imports 15.00 2001 65.50 56.00 No Imports No Imports 63.00 14.50 2002 59.00 54.50 No Imports No Imports 41.50 18.00 2003 260.00 55.00 No Imports No Imports 65.50 19.75 2004 75.00 240.00 No Imports No Imports 32.25 14.00 2005 58.00 240.00 No Imports No Imports 34.50 No Imports 2006 54.80 240.00 No Imports No Imports 233.50 No Imports 1 No journey times available. 2 Estimated times, actual times are likely to have been shorter. Note: Journey times in hours