Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many primates used in experiments for the first time in 2016 came from Asia or Africa; and what steps the Government is taking to ensure that there is a reduction in the importation of monkeys for research.

In 2016 652 non-human primates used for the first time in scientific research came from Asia and 1,525 came from Africa.

The Home Office ensures that animals are only used when necessary and under strict controls which keep suffering to the minimum necessary. Any research that is licensed has undergone a thorough harm-benefit analysis including ensuring that the planned work fully implements the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement).