Please continue to support the international campaign to stop the construction of a primate breeding facility in Puerto Rico.

The BUAV has welcomed a recent judge’s ruling for an immediate halt to the construction of the Bioculture facility to breed and supply primates for research in the town of Guayama. However, your continued support for this campaign is important. Bioculture may appeal this ruling. We, therefore, need to ensure that the court decision remains permanent.

The decision by Guayama’s Superior Court, which cites irregularities in the permitting process, is the latest development in a lawsuit filed against Bioculture by Puerto Rico residents who say the company did not submit a full environmental impact statement or hold public hearings. A recent investigation carried out by the Puerto Rico Senate also raised concerns that inadequate consideration had been given to the impact that the construction would have on local citizens, their land and water supplies.

If the construction is allowed to go ahead, this will not only result in the suffering of thousands of monkeys, it will also have a negative and detrimental impact on Puerto Rico’s image abroad. Primates are highly intelligent, social animals with complex behavioural and psychological needs. The cruelty and suffering involved in the international trade in primates for research has been well documented by the BUAV; in particular, the injuries and mortalities involved in the capture of monkeys from the wild and the stress and suffering involved in their confinement in captivity. The common fate of many primates in the research industry is to be used in toxicity testing, which involves the forced ingestion, inhalation, or injection of potentially lethal and poisonous chemicals.

An international coalition of groups, including the BUAV, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the Bar Association of Puerto Rico and the International Primate Protection League (IPPL), formed to oppose the construction of the Bioculture facility.

BUAV’s primate expert, Dr Ned Buyukmihci, visited Puerto Rico to attend meetings and a press conference as well as to visit the site of the facility. He also provided an expert statement on the impact of the primate facility on both the environment and primates. During one of his visits, with Dr Hope Ferdowsian from PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine), they had the opportunity to speak with Governor Fortuño. During the conversation, Governor Fortuño stated that he would withdraw his support for Bioculture if the company was found to have done something wrong. The ruling by Guayama’s Superior Court and the conclusions of the Puerto Rico Senate show that this is the case.

Please write to Governor Fortuño urging him to now withdraw his support for Bioculture and ensure that Puerto Rico does not partake in the suffering and cruelty inherent in the trade in primates for research.

Puerto Rico Governor Luis G. Fortuño
La Fortaleza
P.O. Box 9020082
San Juan, Puerto Rico
00902-0082

E-mail: ECruz@fortaleza.gobierno.pr
E-mail: TNolla@fortaleza.gobierno.pr

Suggested text for letter

Dear Governor Fortuño,

I welcome the recent court ruling for an immediate halt to the construction of the Bioculture facility to breed and supply primates for research in the town of Guayama

At a time when the ethics regarding the use of primates in research is being raised internationally, it is disheartening to learn that Puerto Rico could allow itself to become a major player in the supply of primates for research. Such a move will not only result in the suffering of thousands of monkeys, it will also have a negative and detrimental impact on Puerto Rico’s image abroad.

In light of the recent ruling by Guayama’s Superior Court and the conclusions of the Puerto Rico Senate, I am writing to urge you to now withdraw your support for Bioculture and ensure Puerto Rico does not partake in the suffering and cruelty inherent in the trade in primates for research.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely