Inquiry launched into keeping primates as pets
An inquiry has been launched by MPs into the keeping of primates as pets, it was announced yesterday (December 9).
Written evidence is now being sought by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee on three key aspects.
MPs are looking to determine the extent of the trade in primates and primate keeping within the UK, and whether existing legislation and the Code of Practice are sufficient to protect the welfare of primates being kept as pets. Evidence is also required as to whether these are being applied effectively.
In addition to this, the inquiry will look at whether primates should be kept as pets, and if not, how to implement an effective ban.
The news comes just weeks after the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) urged European authorities to draft suitability lists, to specify which species can or cannot be kept by private individuals.
Preliminary findings from a survey of veterinary practitioners, which was launched by the organisation last October, show an increase in the number of exotic and wild animals being kept as pets.
Results also suggested a need to raise public awareness of the risks of keeping exotic pets, such as transmission of zoonotic diseases, as well as animal health and welfare issues.
The RSPCA called for a ban on keeping primates as pets earlier on this year, raising concerns over the growing UK trade.
Those wishing to submit evidence to the new inquiry will be able to do so from early next week until the deadline on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. Visit the Efra Committee website to submit evidence or for guidance on submissions.
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/primates-as-pets/
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
