News Release
1997-63
November 20, 1997
Health Canada receives the Royal Society recommendations for the Primate Colony
OTTAWA - Health Canada today thanked the Royal Society for its expert panel report "Recommendations for the Disposition of the Health Canada Primate Colony" which was submitted to the Department today.
In June 1997, Health Canada asked the Royal Society to engage an expert panel to conduct a review of the department's primate colony. The expert panel, which included international and ethical expertise, was asked to assess Canada's need for a non-human primate breeding colony and consider all options for the future of the colony while examining present-day medical research requirements, the costs associated with maintaining the colony and the animal welfare considerations.
The non-human primate breeding colony, established in 1983 by the federal government to test polio vaccines, houses 788 non-human primates in the breeding colony and 148 non-human primates currently being used in research activities.
The Royal Society report notes that the primate colony is a 'world class' facility, housing animals that are behaviourally and emotionally complex.
Departmental officials today announced that they are taking steps to enhance the housing conditions of the colony to ensure that the animals are housed in the type of environment their nature requires. These improvements will be made in consultation with the Canadian Council on Animal Care. The well-being of the animals continues to be of paramount importance and key to further considerations for the colony.
It was further announced that, in recognition of the Royal Society's observation that the colony has been overbred in proportion to scientific need, all breeding activities in the colony will be stopped immediately.
The Department is currently reviewing the Royal Society report to determine the next steps both in terms of future research capacity required by Canada to respond to new and ongoing health needs and the future of the colony. Health Minister Allan Rock has instructed the department to develop a plan within the next few months which considers the observations and recommendations made by the Royal Society.
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Copies of the Royal Society Report will be available at:
Publications Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building
Address Locator 0913A
Ottawa, Ontario, KlA OK9
Tel: (613) 954-5995
Fax: (613) 941-5366
Media Inquiries:
Derek Kent
Health Canada
(613) 957-1515
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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