SPARE A THOUGHT FOR OUR CLOSEST RELATIVES ON INTERNATIONAL PRIMATE DAY!

5.14.06pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 31st Aug 2007

Saturday 1st September sees the third annual International Primate Day and an MEP has called on the public to join the ongoing campaign to end experiments on our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne signed a written declaration and a public petition earlier this year to end experiments and feels momentum should be kept up to achieve protection of primates.

Speaking today, Liz said:

"It is so important that humans stop scientific experiments on primates. Not only are many primates endangered species, but considering we share up to 98% of the same DNA, it is abhorrent that we find it acceptable to subject these poor animals to such testing."

"I hope that the Commission will consider a revision of Directive 86/609 as requested in written declaration 40/2007 which concerns the rules for animal experimentation across the EU."

"Although alternative methods of research now exist, almost 10,000 tests on Primates occur every year across the EU, with the UK being one of the worst offenders. We should be protecting our endangered relatives, not experimenting on them!"