Thousands of monkeys being bred for vivisection in Mauritius
According to Karen Walter, Biodia Company Ltd. operates in the breeding of monkeys, which support research on diseases, including malaria, AIDS, Parkinson's and others.
This company will be setting up three more monkey farms after the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritius reviewed the Environment Impact Assessment of the farm and allowed the company to expand its activities from February 15.
Biodia Company Ltd will rear some additional 8,724 primates in these three farms. The farms at Clarens and Casela will rear 5,724 monkeys while a farm in Tamarin will have 3,000 primates.
The livestock industry and the export of monkeys is growing in Mauritius. A total of six companies operating in the sector, namely Noveprim Group, Ltd. The Campeche, Biodia Co Ltd, Bio Culture (Mauritius) Ltd., Bio Sphere Cyno Ltd. and Prima. The activities of these companies are controlled both locally and internationally.
According to sources, between January and June 2010, 3,088 primates were exported for a total of Rs 367.5 million, an average of about Rs 120,000 per animal. These companies are all involved in the capture, breeding and export of monkeys for medical research in France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, UK and USA.
In 2008, Mauritius exported primates for 8407 a turnover of over Rs 949 million. The United States and Spain topped with clients respectively 4243 and 2084 monkeys.
BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) has received no response to their letters to Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam, requesting a meeting to discuss our concerns and his intervention.
We need your help to close these farms and stop more being established.
SirYour Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritius reviewed the Environment Impact Assessment of the farm and allowed the company to expand its activities from February 15.
Your country already has other farms breeding monkeys for research. Although much revenue is earned for your poor country by selling monkeys for research, we ask you to consider an alternative source of income. Research on monkeys is cruel and is no longer necessary as tissue cultures can now replace animals and result in much more accurate results.
As you know, your country derives much income and investment because of tourism. However, if the image of your country is tarnished by this sort of industry, you will lose many tourists to your country.
We, therefore kindly request that you consider our request to reverse the decision of the 15 February to allow 3 more monkey farms. In addition, we request that you discourage any further capture and farming of primates.
Thank you, sir, for taking the time to read this letter and feel sure that you will reconsider which industry results in more investment and employment.
