Animal Defenders International: Pygmy or not pygmy? That is the question

Animal Defenders logo for press releases

Thursday, 15, May 2008 12:00

MP raises point of order over government response regarding simian ‘fantasy’ species

Westminster - Tory MP Mark Pritchard raised a point of order with Commons Speaker Michael Martin this May, referring to an extremely baffling written answer regarding the issue of a ban on Great Apes in laboratory experiments in the EU under Directive 86/609/EEC.

On receipt of the answer from Home Office minister Meg Hillier, Mr Pritchard was concerned over the addition of what could only be assumed to be a fantasy species, the pigmy gorilla; an animal our government is apparently qualified to comment upon regarding its use in laboratory experiments.

Referring back to an answer given by Jack Straw in 1997 Mark Pritchard was told that Great Apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, pygmy gorillas and orang-utans have not been used in UK labs since 1986.

Chimpanzees were last used in the UK in the early 80’s, but have been used in European labs as recently as 1999, and continue to be used in US labs. Plans for a central European chimp laboratory were recently under consideration, but the European Commission have said they plan to ban the tests – it is hoped the UK Government will support the move at the Council of Ministers.

But the Government can be quite sure that there have never been experiments on pygmy gorillas – largely due to the fact they do not exist.

Mr Pritchard raised the point of order after a Declaration by Animal Defenders International (ADI) was adopted by the European Parliament calling for a ban on ape experiments and a phase out of monkey experiments across Europe. Written Declaration 40, signed by over half the European Parliament, is currently being reviewed by the European Commission as part of the revision of Directive 86/609/EEC – the rules that govern experiments throughout Europe.

“I have conducted searches and spoken to zoologists throughout the world and there is no such species as the pygmy gorilla” Mr Pritchard told Mr Martin.

At a later date he said: “Way back in 1945 there was an Indiana Jones-style expedition to the then Belgian Congo looking for pygmy gorillas. They didn’t find any and no one has found any since.”

“In letters to the Home Office from our members regarding Written Declaration 40, the response still refers to pygmy gorillas.” Says ADI CEO Jan Creamer. “We just hope that the Home Office involvement in the revision of laboratory rules across Europe focuses on the animals that actually exist. Real monkeys and apes need protection, but we are sure that the pygmy gorillas and unicorns will remain safe in mythology.”

ENDS

For further information about Directive 86/609/EEC please contact:

Sarah Dickinson

Public Relations Officer

sarahdickinson@ad-international.org

0207 630 33 44

www.ad-international.org