Government ignores calls from primate experts, whilst primates continue to suffer
12Sept 2014
Following the EFRA Select Committee’s inquiry into whether primates should be kept as pets, the Government has just responded to the Committee’s report. Wild Futures gave written and oral evidence at the hearing in Parliament and, along with the RSPCA, and many other welfare and veterinary organisations, called for a ban.
Wild Futures welcomes the admission by the Government that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes the keeping of primates as pets an offence but the charity is disappointed that the Government is still allowing primates to be kept as pets by not sending out a clear message.
The Select Committee recommended that further research was necessary to establish how many primates are kept privately in UK homes. The Government does not consider this research worthwhile. Wild Futures conducts research every year into the number of privately kept primates in the UK and believes that there are around 5000 privately kept primates in the UK. Wild Futures agrees with the Government that higher estimates do not reflect the current situation.
Wild Futures believes that numbers are irrelevant. Whether there are 5 or 5,000, the principle of the Animal Welfare Act is that individual animals are protected. The total number should not be what decides whether an animal is worth protecting.
The Government does not believe that the 85-95% non-compliance rate with the Dangerous Wild Animals Act is correct, whereas, Wild Futures believes that this estimate is reflective of the current situation. This estimate of non- compliance is reflected in Wild Futures’ own findings relating to their rescued primates.
The only primate charity in the UK that draws on 50 years of experience of these issues, Wild Futures is surprised that the Government chooses to ignore the conclusions of many experts calling for a clear message ending the keeping of privately kept primates in the UK.
Wild Futures is hoping that the Government is inching towards, what Wild Futures believes is necessary, an end to the trade and keeping of primates as pets.
The Government considers it necessary to educate internet advertisers about how to sell or buy an animal and they are encouraging them to apply Pet Advertising Advisory Group’s minimum standards for the online advertising of pets. However, according to those standards “primates should not be offered for sale”. The government is contradicting itself. A clear message is needed.
In 2015 the government will be reviewing the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Privately Kept Non-Human Primates. Wild Futures is looking forward to providing further evidence to the Government.
Rachel Hevesi added: “We are failing these highly intelligent, complex animals on so many levels. We know all too well the damage the trade causes and it is for these reasons that we are calling for an end of the trade and keeping of primates as pets. It is time the law takes the lead and sets the example. The suffering must end.”
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Notes to Editors:
About Wild Futures
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is an educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates and working to end the abuse of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. The Monkey Sanctuary is the only Sanctuary in Europe accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and is a founder and board member of EARS (European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries). Drawing on 50 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
About the EFRA Select Committee
It is a committee of MPs appointed by the House of Commons to examine the administration and policy of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The EFRA Committee is one of the 19 Select Committees related to Government Departments, established by the House of Commons under Standing Order No. 152.
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