Monkey Breeding Facility Construction Denied by Court
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)
September 2011

[Ed. Note: Watch Covance Cruelty to see some of what animals endure in laboratories.]

Ultimately, the facility’s animals would have been destined for use in experiments at facilities on the United States mainland and elsewhere.

We have exciting news to share. The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals has just ruled that the notorious Bioculture primate supply company cannot move forward with plans to build a breeding facility. Ultimately, the facility’s animals would have been destined for use in experiments at facilities on the United States mainland and elsewhere.

For more than two years PCRM and other groups have worked to stop construction of the breeding facility proposed by the Mauritius-based company. Members of the Puerto Rico government also stepped in to try to stop the building. In November 2009, a commission established by the Senate of Puerto Rico released a scathing report citing a number of government agencies for poor oversight. The commission also found that Bioculture supplied misleading and contradictory information to obtain permits for the project.

Not only would the facility have led to massive cruelty. PCRM and others have argued that monkeys would be likely to escape from Bioculture's Guayama, Puerto Rico facility. Such escapes could result in ecological damage in Puerto Rico, adding to the serious problems already caused by patas monkeys and rhesus monkeys who escaped from a laboratory.

The facility would also emit air and water pollution into the well preserved local natural environment. Primate facilities often use incinerators to dispose of waste and dead animals. These incinerators release ashes and soot from animal carcasses, along with chemicals that can cause cancer and damage human embryos.

The recent court ruling is a victory for the people of Puerto Rico and animals, and we could not have done it without your help. While Bioculture may continue to try to construct its facility in Puerto Rico, we are on our way to a complete victory. We will keep you updated as developments occur and your help is needed.

Thank you again for your continued support of our work.

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