Primates (Hansard, 12 November 1992)

§ Mrs. Bridget Prentice
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the differences between the minimum standards for primates set out in the Home Office code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures and those applicable to premises in which primates are held for other purposes, including zoos.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
The Home Office code of practice for the housing and care of animals used in scientific procedures is similar in content to the Laboratory Animals Breeders Association guidelines in relation to primates.
The Home Office code of practice is also broadly similar in content and range to section 9 of the "Standards of Modern Zoo Practice", issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, although the Home Office code is more detailed with regard to the temperatures, lighting, ventilation, noise, humidity and space requirements for the housing of animals, and deals separately with the particular needs of primates. The "Standards of Modern Zoos Practice" contain additional requirements relating to hazards from machinery, supervision of controlled drugs, post mortem facilities and safety of the public.

§ Mrs. Bridget Prentice
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider consulting a range of independent primatologists and to establish what standards of housing and care are suitable for primates used in research as part of a wider review on the care and use of laboratory primates.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
The Home Office animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate has regular contacts with experts in the field of primate care, and draws on the knowledge thus gained in assessing and monitoring projects involving the use of primates. Such contacts have also informed the review of facilities for large primates which the inspectorate is currently carrying out, and will contribute to the consideration being given to a possible code of practice for breeding establishments.
I understand that the animal procedures committee may also consult other experts in the course of the review of laboratory primates which it is conducting.