An Open Letter to UK Prime Minister David Cameron has been signed by a host of politicians, scientists, academics, wildlife experts and celebrities. The letter calls on the UK Government to dissociate itself from purchasing offspring of wild-caught primates for research and was published today in the Times and Guardian newspapers. 

Support for the BUAV (the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) campaign comes from primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, actress and wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna, environmentalist Jonathon Porritt, conservationist Ian Redmond, TV wildlife presenters Simon King, Bill Oddie, Michaela Strachan and Mark Carwardine along with celebrities such as Dr Brian May and Ricky Gervais, along with academics such as Professor Roger Crisp, Professor William McGrew, Revd Professor Andrew Linzey, Professor Stephen Harris, Professor Michael Balls, Professor Vernon Reynolds, and Professor Jonathan Wolff. 

 The source of primates used in research raises welfare concerns to the group, which has existed since 1898 to halt testing on animals.  They contend many primates used in UK laboratories, which have had a ban on the use of wild-caught primates in research since 1997, are imported from countries such as Mauritius where there is no ban on offspring from farms which trap wild primates for breeding purposes. 

Over 100 MPs have also signed an Early Day Motion (EDM 957) calling on the Government to end the UK's involvement in the wild-caught primate trade.

 BUAV's Chief Executive, Michelle Thew states, "The BUAV is delighted to receive such widespread support. By allowing the importation of monkeys born to wild-caught parents, the UK is fuelling a cruel and unnecessary trade. We call on the Prime Minister to take action to ban the import of these primates and stop perpetuating this appalling cruelty."