Air Canada Criticized for Transporting Research Monkeys

Awful. For the full Toronto Star story, go here.

The arrival of 48 monkeys on a flight from China this weekend has brought Air Canada under fire for shipping primates destined for research laboratories, but the airline says it is obliged by federal law to accept monkeys as cargo.

A Pearson International Airport employee tipped off the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection that a shipment of monkeys destined for Montreal was being held at the Toronto airport after arriving from China on Saturday.

Sarah Kite, director of communications and special projects for the BUAV, said monkeys destined for research facilities are usually transported in cramped wooden crates in the plane’s cargo hold, where they can be subject to fluctuations in temperature, stopovers and in some cases long delays....

Air Canada is one of a small number of airlines that continues to transport these primates, Kite said. Under pressure from animal rights groups and the public, many airlines have banned the practice. British Airways, for example, has a policy of “not carrying live animals that are for use in any laboratory, or for experimentation or exploitation,” according to media liaison manager Sophie Greenyer.

Anti-Vivisection Activists Address Scottish Parliament

This event was scheduled for today, October 5.

From indymediascotland.org....

Scotland for Animals have arranged for two of the worlds leading experts on non-animal research to speak at the Scottish Parliament {on October 5}.

Dr Ray Greek, President of Americans for Medical Advancement and consultant Dr Andre Menache will be joining the animal charity in asking MSP's and the Scottish Government to take urgent action to end the use of animals in experiments.

Scotland for Animals spokesman John Patrick: "Our country has a disproportionately high number of animals used in experiments when compared to the UK total. We requested data from the Home Office on animal experiments in Scotland and the figures are grim."

Thousands Offered for Primate Freedom

An animal rights activist has offered $30,000 to anyone who facilitates the freeing of primates, or the end of vivisection, at the University of Kansas, a place cited for numerous animal welfare violations. He does not condone violent or illegal acts.

Good luck.

A Reluctant Vivisector

For all of you who think there are no moral quandaries to vivisection and animal research, read this. At least someone who has conducted animal research has a conscience and is willing to write about it....

In fact, read the whole 5-part series in Slate. Read it and tell me that the end, or even the simple limitation, of animal research is nothing more than "darn government regulators! They just want to take away our rights to research!"

Animal research proponents are starting to sound like the National Rifle Association (NRA) in the US.

Vivisection is Up There with Waterboarding

Barbaric, backwards and best belonging to the Middle Ages? I say "yes" and it's time to pursue the alternatives.

This is an excellent, excellent opinion piece. The author is the press officer for the Animal Liberation Press Office.

Help Release Chimps from Medical Research

Visit this site. Project R&R is a campaign of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society.