§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licence applications for the use of wild-caught baboons have been approved by the Animal Procedures Committee since 1994 for research; what checks were made to ensure that these animals did not suffer unduly during trapping and transport to the United Kingdom; and what was the country of origin of these animals. [11169]
§ Mr. SackvilleSince the start of 1994, three project licences authorising the use of wild-caught baboons have been approved by the Animal Procedures Committee.
We announced in 1995 a ban on the use of wild-caught non-human primates unless specific and exceptional justification could be made. Details of the trapping, housing and transport arrangements for any holding 435W centres must now be submitted to the Home Office before animals acquired from these sources can be used in regulated procedures.
All the animals originated in Kenya. Following a visit by one of the animals (scientific procedures) inspectors to the holding centre concerned, many further application to use animals acquired from this source will not be considered until adequate improvements have been made to the facilities.