Dutch gov’t won’t ban experimenting on monkeys; MP’s. very disappointed

Minister Eppo Bruins has announced plans to continue primate research at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in Rijswijk, despite strong opposition from the Tweede Kamer, RTL reports. The Minister's decision, based on expert advice, has sparked outrage from animal rights groups and lawmakers, who have long advocated for reducing animal testing.

Bruins' confidential letter, which was discussed at Friday's Cabinet meeting, outlines his position to maintain primate experiments for the next five years. The decision has been met with condemnation from critics, particularly after years of calls for reducing animal tests, especially those involving primates. The center, colloquially known as the "ape hell" in Rijswijk, has been a target for animal welfare advocates due to its research on diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV.

"The government spends approximately 12 million euros annually on the center, which houses around 1,000 animals," the letter states. However, the Tweede Kamer has repeatedly demanded a reduction in animal testing and called for the eventual closure of the research facility. A motion passed by the Tweede Kamer advocates for innovations that would eliminate the need for animal testing. Public concern over the ethical implications of such research has also been growing.

Minister Bruins argues that reducing primate testing is not feasible without compromising the quality of research. He warns that decreasing the number of monkeys could result in inbreeding, undermining the center's ability to conduct vital studies. "We have a leading research facility in the Netherlands, and reducing tests would negatively affect crucial disease research," Bruins stated.

Lawmakers, particularly from GroenLinks-PvDA and the Party for the Animals, are dissatisfied with the minister's stance. "We need to speed up the phase-out of primate testing," said Laura Bromet of GroenLinks-PvDA. "The minister's approach is far too slow, and much more investment is needed in alternative methods." Ines Kostic of the Party for the Animals called for the immediate closure of the Rijswijk center, describing the animal testing as "monstrous" and "funded by taxpayer money."

Minister Bruins emphasized that the Netherlands has the potential to become a global leader in animal-free innovations, but he did not propose additional funding for this transition. He also noted the importance of maintaining self-sufficiency in pandemic-related research, such as vaccine testing, to ensure national security.

In the Netherlands, animal testing is carried out on various species, including mice, rats, zebrafish, and, in some cases, livestock such as cows and horses. The Rijswijk center is the primary facility for primate research, conducting approximately 37 percent of animal experiments for basic research, 28 percent for pharmaceutical development, and 27 percent for mandatory safety tests on chemicals and consumer products.