Created W. Lane-Petter, 'Annual Report' (c. October 1950) (FD 1/383).
Oct 1950
Description:

'ANNUAL REPORT

This report covers the period from 1 September 1949 to 30th September 1950...

...

Monkeys

A number of monkeys arrived in this country in September 1949 from the Gambia. This had been reported separately. In view of the small expense involved, and the likelihood of being able to obtain primates more economically and in greater numbers from other parts of West Africa in future years, it was decided not to continue with the Gambia project.

An alternative source of West African monkeys is being exploited. In Sierra Leone is an annual drive of monkeys, which are slaughtered by the thousand in the interests of farming.'

Created W. Lane-Petter, 'Report of a Visit to India in Connection with the Supply of Rhesus Monkeys for Medical Research', January 1956.
Jan 1956
Description:

'CONFIDENTIAL

Report of a Visit to India in Connection with the Supply of Rhesus Monkeys for Medical Research

1. Diary

I left London by air on the 27th September, 1955, and arrived in Delhi very early on the morning of the 29th.

On the 31st October I went to Lucknow and spent a day at the Central Drug Research Instiutute.

On the 2nd November I left Lucknow for Bareilly and a visit to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute at Izatnagar [sic]. On the night of the 2nd November I returned to Delhi.

On the night of the 6th November I left for Bombay by air and from there travelled to Poons to visit the Virus Research Centre. While in Poons I also visited the Armed Forces Medical College at the National Chemical Laboratory. On the 8th November I returned to Bombay. I spent a day at the Indian Cancer Research Centre, and I also visited the Raffkine Institute and the Glaxo Laboratories (India) Ltd., and called on the Controller of Drugs, Bombay State. I returned to Delhi on the night of 10th November.

On the 4th December I travelled by air to Dacca in East Pakistan. On the evening of the 6th December I returned to Calcutta; while there I visited the School of Tropical Medicine, where I spent some time. I returned to Delhi on the 10th December.

On the night of the 11th December I went by air to Nagpur where I had been invited to attend the meetings of the Advisory Committee of the Indian Council of Medical Research; I returned to Delhi on the night of the 18th December.

I left India on the 22nd December arriving in London on the evening of the 23rd December.

2. Purpose of Visit

The main purpose of my visit was to make what arrangements appeared appropriate to insure [sic] a regular supply of good quality Rhesus monkeys from India, or from Pakistan, or from both countries. At the time of my departure there was a good deal of uncertainty as to whether a continuing supply of monkeys would be available from India in view of certain Indian Government regulations either in force or about to be imposed. There was an equal amount of uncertainty as to whether it was possible to develop an alternative source in East Pakistan.

3. Historical Background.

The accidental suffocation of 394 monkeys at London Airport in the small hours of New Years' Day 1955, had made a profound impression upon Indian opinion. This, rather than the unsatisfactory conditions of many shipments to this country and more especially to the United States, has been responsible for the Indian Government placing quite severe restrictions on the export of monkeys.

Shortly after this disaster a deputation led by Mr. Peter Freeman, M.P. had been to see the Indian High Commissioner in London. Mrs. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit. It appeared that Mrs. Pandit had reported the existence of grave public disquiet in this country about the monkey traffic, and the Indian government had in fact imposed a total ban which lasted for one day. This decision was revived at Indian Cabinet level and overruled at the instigation of the Prime Minister, Mr. Nehru, himself.

The decision to continue export of monkeys from India for legitimate medical research had, therefore, been taken at the very highest level, and it may be regarded as a lasting decision, all the more so in view of the fact that the poliomyelitis problem, previously negligible in India, is now showing signs of becoming quite severe within the next five to ten years.

About March 1953 a high level American deputation flew to India in order to persuade the Indian Government to relax restrictions it had already imposed on the export of monkeys. This deputation made various practical suggestions about the method of shipment, and suggested certain cage sizes for air shipment which were acceptable to the airlines, and which were considered to be proper and humane; they were based on existing methods. It appears the Americans believed they had persuaded the Indians to their way of thinking, but on September 7th, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry published a public notice specifying the future conditions for the export of monkeys. This public notice reproduced in many parts word for word the American recommendations, but on the vital question of cage size they had departed from these recommendations and established cage dimensions of their own. These cage dimensions were obtained from old regulations governing the shipment of monkeys by sea and, if they had been enforced they would have had the effect of approximately doubling the freight charge of monkeys to this country and to the United States.

I received a copy of this Public Notice just before I left England. One of my first visits on arrival in India was to see the appropriate official in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and explain these facts to him. He had already been given a copy of the M.R.C. recommendations on the Humane Shipment of Monkeys, but he was not inclined at that time to alter his Public Notice on the strength of these recommendations. As he pointed out, the details of his own Public Notice rested on the recommendations of his own experts and it was up to me to persuade these experts to have second thoughts on the matter. He would not, at that time, tell me who these experts were.

This, therefore, was the position when I arrived in India.

4. First Impressions

I realised from the beginning that my first duty was to gain the confidence of the Indian Authorities. This confidence had been badly shaken by the London Airport incident, and the American negotiations had not done anything to improve matters, nor had any actions taken by our own Trade Commission had any effect in influencing the decision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

From the beginning I considered that the "old boy" approach was likely to be more effective than normal diplomatic methods. My previous service in the Indian Army was of some help to me in this respect. Event proved this view to be quite correct.

I made contact with Dr. C.G. Pandit, Secretary of the Indian Council of Medical Research, to whom I had an introduction from Dr. Green. Dr. Pandit was of enormous help to me in putting me in touch with the right people, but for all that it was rather slow work getting to know the many Indian authorities involved in this matter.

Any suggestion of bargaining with the Indian Government was ruled out. They were not open to persuasion, but only to conviction. The economic aspect of monkey export was of far less importance to them than the political. At the same time, I found that officials were very willing to listen to my arguments, for they valued British goodwill, perhaps more than than they had done in the past.

I discovered that Mr. Peter Freeman, M.P., and Dr. Bayly, both prominent British antivivisectionists, had been supplying the Indian opposition with much propaganda material with the purpose of influencing the Indians against the export of monkeys, and that Mr. Freeman intended to visit India to drive home his points. For this and for other reasons sufficiently apparent in this report, my presence in India was very timely, for I was able to deal personally with this one-sided lobbying.

5. Negotiations.

I had several meetings with the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who was concerned with the export of monkeys. This official was extremely helpful. He urged me to examine personally the facilities provided by the main exporters in the business. Of these there were two or possibly three. (i) T.E. Patterson (no present connection with Shamrock Farms). (ii) Vita Ltd., and (iii) The Hindustan Bird and Animal Suppliers Ltd.

...

The large number of monkeys being exported are trapped in the jungle from various parts of India, particularly U.P. (Uttar Pradesh). The trappers are mostly Moslems, and trapping animals is a family occupation, often going back for several generations. It is not infrequent for the trappers to meet with violent hostility from some of the villagers, and some have even lost their lives at the hands of villagers.

However, it is easy to exaggerate the importance of this particular feeling, which is not entirely religious in sentiment. The same villagers who have offered violence to professional trappers have themselves caught and killed monkeys at a time when the State Government was offering a reward for the destruction of monkeys.

The procurement of monkeys from professional trappers was shared almost exclusively between Patterson and Vita, and for many months past there had been a price war going on between these two dealers. This had resulted in the price per monkey paid by the dealers to the trappers rising from about 6 rupees to as much as 27 rupees, and both companies were dipping deeply into their capital in order to be able to obtain monkeys and ship them from Delhi at a maximum price of 25 rupees.

...

I was able to make contact eventually with the experts who had advised the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the size of shipping cage and other details of air shipment. One of these was an Assistant Director General in the Health Ministry, and the other the Animal Husbandry Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. I took the former gentleman to see Mr. Patterson's compound and to satisfy himself that the cage at present in use, namely the standard 19" cage, was humane and satisfactory. He subsequently paid a second visit to Patterson in company with the Animal Husbandry Commissioner, and I had a verbal assurance that they were both entirely satisfied with the standard cage and were recommending its official adoption to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

...

At the time that the Government decided to allow the export of monkeys from India for medical research the Prime Minister gave an undertaking to appoint a committee under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to consider the prevention of cruelty to animals. The Chairman on this Committee is Krishna Menon and the Vice Chairman is Rukmini Devi Arundale M.P. Mrs. Arundale is a very outspoken antivivisectionist and has a great interest in banning the export of monkeys.

Through the interest of Dr. Pandit and others I was invited to give evidence before the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Committee, partly on the question of export of monkeys for medical research and partly on the legal control of animal experiments generally. It is the intention of the Indian Government to introduce an Act for this latter purpose. The others who were interested in getting me to give ecidence, were Dr M[anchersha] D.D. Gilder, M.P., at one time a research assistant of Sir Thomas Lewis; and Dr. K. Gitra[? - blurred] the Assistant Director General of Health Services already referred to. Also concerned with getting me before the committee was a Mr. Patel. the Chief Controller of Drugs in Bombay State.

On the 30th November I gave my evidence to the committee, and had nearly two hours close questioning; I was told subsequently that I had succeeded in persuading the committee that monkeys were used in this country for genuine medical research even by the Ministry of Supply and that any assurances that were given by British scientists that they would not be used for purely war purposes for which the Indian Government strongly disapprove[d] would be adopted in good faith.

I also had the opportunity of meeting a senior official in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and brought up the question with him about the use of monkeys in defence research. The result of this interview was reported separately in a confidential memorandum sent by diplomatic channels.

...

To sum up, we can feel confidant that we may obtain whatever monkeys we require from India for medical research provided no further incidents such as the London Airport disaster occur.

6. Supplies of Monkeys from East Pakistan

Recently the Anglo Scottish Cattle Company have appointed an agent, Major W.C. Hughes, in Dacca, East Pakistan, for the purpose of collecting monkeys in that province and exporting them for medical research. I visited Major Hughes, saw his compound, and examined the arrangements that he was making for this purpose.

The standard of his compound is not very good and I did not find the quality of his monkeys as high as that of Patterson's in Delhi. My impression was that although Hughes was able to obtain a reasonable number of monkeys in East Pakistan the quality of these monkeys was likely to be inferior to the best Indian monkeys.

The cost of monkeys in Dacca was nearly 50 per cent higher than the cost in Delhi, and of course the freightage was additionally higher from Dacca than from Delhi. Moreover there was no certainty that if Hughes succeeded in establishing a regular trade in monkeys from Dacca local officials and others would not place difficulties in his way, and even seek to drive him out of business. There appeared to be a xenophobia in East Pakistan which was not evident in India.

Once again B.O.A.C. were very cooperative, but normally freight services do not go through Dacca and when there are animals to be shipped from there, a plane has to be diverted specially for the purpose.

I consider that the East Pakistani source to be [sic] unreliable.

7. Desiderata

The problem of obtaining healthy monkeys for British laboratories depends upon the best possible treatment at all stages of their journey from jungle to laboratory. Until they are properly acclimatised in British laboratories, monkeys are extremely delicate animals and the following proposals have in mind the insurance of the best possible treatment during this revolutionary change in their environment.

...

Their reception in this country could be improved on the lines suggested below; all this should have the effect of cutting down losses after arrival. In addition to this the Indian authorities undoubtedly take the humanitarian aspect very seriously, as we should ourselves.

In a visit to the Malaria Institute if India, Delhi, I found monkeys in superb condition. It was considered vitally important to cage the incoming monkeys in twos or threes, to given them four separate meals a day, and between meals to remove the trays from the cages so that droppings fell out of reach of the monkeys.

...

8. Recommendations

...

(iii) The monkeys should be taken from the plane to the laboratory with the minimum of delay. It may not always be possible for them to be loaded from the plane into a van and so direct to the laboratory. ,but this should be the aim wherever possible. IF it is unavoidable the monkeys may be detained for a few hours only in the R.S.P.C.A. hostel, but even this delay is inadvisable. B.O.A.C. might be asked to assist with deliveries in the London area.

The vans must be properly heated and ventilated. The practice of sending the monkeys to Shamrock Farms in Brighton for holding is thoroughly unsound, and should no longer be tolerated.

...

(v) The possibility of importing kidney cell suspensions rather than live monkeys for growing poliomyelitis virus should be borne in mind.

Dr. D.D. Banker, previously of the G.S. Medical College, Bombay, but now with Glaxo Laboratories (India) Ltd., has shown that it is possible to send suspensions of live kidney cells from India to U.K., on which the poliomyelitis virus can be grown satisfactorily. He has provided a note on the technique, and it might prove an economy to use this method in preference to importing whole monkeys for growing the virus. it was not considered impossible to overcome any reluctance on the part of Indian opinion to sanction the killing of monkeys in India for this purpose, and I formed the definite view that this difficulty had been exaggerated.

...

9.Other Visits

...

c) Malaria Institute of India, Delhi. At this Institute a great deal is known about the care of laboratory monkeys. I arranged with the Director that if Patterson required and technical help or advice in the care of his monkeys he might seek it from this Institute.

...

m) Indian Council of Medical Research. I had many meetings with Dr. C.G. Pandit and at his request prepared a note on "The Provision of Laboratory Animals for Research". Although I had not seen Dr. Khanolkar's memorandum when I wrote this note, it was gratifying to find that my suggestions were very largely complementary to Dr. Khanolkar's. My note has been published as Appendix IV in the memorandum "Medical Research and the Second Five-year Plan".

Dr. Pandit invited me to attend the Annual Meeting of the Advisory Committees of the Indian Council of Medical Research at Nagpur Medical College. These committee meetings are open to visitors who may take part in the various discussions, although they do not of course have any vote in the decisions of the committee. I was in fact invited to contribute to several discussions.

n) Committee for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In addition to giving evidence before this committee, I was also invited to prepare a detailed memorandum on the working of the British Act of 1876, together with my comments and recommendations. It is the intention of this committee to recommend some sort of legal control of animal experiments in India.

It was a fortunate coincidence that the member of the committee who asked me for this memorandum was the same member of the Health Ministry who was one of the advisors on the conditions in which monkeys should be exported; no doubt he will be favourably disposed towards our interests in obtaining monkeys from India.

o) Rotary Club of Delhi. In 24th November I was the guest speaker at the Delhi Rotary Club. The title of my address was "Medical Science, Animals and Humanity". A lively discussion followed my address, in which it was apparent that educated Indian opinion was by no means opposed to the export of monkeys for medical research, provided the business was managed in a humane way. Such opinion was not impressed by the religious-emotional appeal. My address received short but sympathetic notice in the Indian press.

10. Acknowledgements.

I received a tremendous amount of help from very many people in India. I found the attitude of Indian Government officials very reasonable. I would particularly like to mention among those who helped me, Mr. Keith Roy of Glaxo Laboratories (India) Ltd.; Mr. Ram Dass, the Delhi agent for Glaxo who provided me for the duration of my visit with office accommodation and facilities, for which he declined to make any chargel Commander Glapin and Mr. Jackson of B.O.A.C.; Mr. Cross of the British Trade Commission; Dr. Pandit, Secretary of the Indian Council of Medical Research. Dr. Pandit kindly arranged for me to meet Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the Health Minister whose sympathetic interest in our requirements for monkeys is of great influence; and General Sir Douglas Gracey of the Anglo Scottish Cattle Breeding Company who gave me an introduction to the Health Department in East Pakistan.

...

Appendix

When I was in India I learnt that some criticism had been voiced about the negotiations I was then carrying out. I did not have an opportunity of answering these criticisms at the time, although had I been asked I would naturally have done so. In particular I believe that my suggestion of placing a sample order with the Hindustan Bird and Animal Suppliers was regarded as unsuitable. The reasons for this suggestion have already been given.

Secondly there was some difference of opinion as to whether the travelling vages should have a height of 19" or 22". The M.R.C. Conference on the Humane Shipment of Monkeys examined the 19" cage in current use, and in general approved of it. However, as a result of very strong opinion voiced by the representative of the Research Defence Society, Dr. F. Eckstein, who was deputising for Professor Zuckerman, it was agreed that the height of the cage should be increased to 22". Even a 22" cage did not entirely satisfy Dr. Eckstein, but it was felt to be a compromise on which we could all agree.

In the subsequent memorandum published by this conference the description of the cage gave the height as 22", but the diagram of the cage showed it as it was, namely 19".

As secretary of the conference I felt compelled to support the decision of the conference in recommending a 22" cage. Subsequent correspondence between certain individuals in India and another member of the M.R.C. conference confirmed that this particular member, representing the R.S.P.C.A., was quite happy about a 19" cage.

The point of this is that aircraft normally used can take four tiers of 19" cages, but only three tiers of 22" cages, and thus the comparative small difference of 3" in the height of cages would mean a disproportionate difference in the cost of cage freightage.

I therefore, took it upon myself to give way on this question and agree to recommend to the Indian authorities the use of the 19" cage. But I still think I may have exceeded my authority as secretary of the M.R.C. conference. However, the Indian advisors like myself were entirely satisfied that the 19" cage satisfied humane requirements for the shipping of monkeys up to 8lbs. in weight.'

Created W. Lane-Petter, 'The Export of Monkeys from India: An Appreciation of the Attitude of the Indian Government', November 1955 (DO 35/8639).
Nov 1955
Description:

'CONFIDENTIAL

THE EXPORT OF MONKEYS FROM INDIA

An Appreciation of the Attitude of the Indian Government

The Indian Government has decided that the export of monkeys for medical research shall continue, subject to regulations to ensure their humane treatment. This decision has been taken at the highest level, and has the support of the Prime Minister, in spite of strong opposition based on religious and ethical grounds. The Indian Government realise that it is no part their duty or interest to hamper medical research in other countries, more particularly as they are themselves relying to an increasing extent on the advances made elsewhere as well as in their own country for the control of indigenous disease and the raising of the standard of living of their own population.

This decision is, therefore, a matter of principle. The question of foreign exchange is insignificant in comparison for a total estimated annual export of 200,000 monkeys at Rs.25 each amounts to Rs.50 lakhs, equivalent to £350,000 in sterling or dollars. This is a small sum to be set against serious political opposition.

Although poliomyelitis is today not such a serious public health hazard in India as it is in the U.S.A. and U.K. the rise in the standard of living and of general hygiene which can be expected during the next five years or ten years is almost certain to be accompanied by a rise in the incidence of poliomyelitis; indeed the beginning of this rise in incidence has already become apparent in certain areas. It is therefore likely that India herself will, in the near future, have to consider measures against the spread of paralytic poliomyelitis.

Opposition to the declared Government policy may be expected to continue and this opposition will feed on any failures of the anti-poliomyelitis programme in other countries, and on any evidence of real or imagined inhumaneness in the transport or use of monkeys for the preparation of [sic] testing of vaccine or for other purposes. It is therefore vitally necessary that this traffic be conducted with every consideration for the welfare of the monkeys, and that steps be taken to prevent the recurrence of such accidents as that which occurred at London Airport on New Year's Day 1955.

Permission to export monkeys will be given on the understanding that they are for genuine medical research and for no other purposes. In particular there is a profound objection to their use for what may be called warlike purposes, such as the production and testing of new weapons. Although the Indian Government may require the nature of the research for which the monkeys are to be used to be stated in the application for an export permit, their officials will not look too closely into the actual use to which the monkeys are eventually put. Nor will they raise any objections to granting export permits to or on behalf of the Ministry of Supply, providing this Ministry states that the animals are for specified medical research. The Ministry, however, must be able to give assurance that this is the case, and that the monkeys are not being used for the development of new weapons or the testing of existing ones, and the Minister must be prepared to state this, if asked before the British Parliament. It is hardly necessary to add that such assurance will be accepted without question by the Indian Government. The onus of protecting the Indian Government against its critics in this matter is therefore placed on the shoulders of the British Government.

Regulations for the proper shipment of monkeys out of India are contained in the Gazette of India No. 269, dated 7th September, 1955. This Public Notice is not yet in force, and indeed its enforcement has been delayed chiefly on account of the specifications contained therein for the size of shipping crates. The dimensions specified, if adopted, would have the effect of seriously increasing the cost of air freightage without any real benefit to the monkeys being shipped, and discussions are at the present time going on about the possibility of altering these specified dimensions. If some alteration is decided upon, an amended Public Notice will be issued. Other provisions of the Public Notice are unexceptional.

In summary, it may be said that there will be no compromise on the requirement that monkeys may only be exported for medical research, and that it is up to the consignee to be able to give assurance in this respect. The humane treatment of the monkeys must also be assured at all stages of their journey, and the repe[t]ition of an incident such as occurred at London Airport on New Year's Day would almost certainly bring the traffic to an abrupt end. The attitude of the Indian Government is helpful and sympathetic and they will do whatever they can, in defiance of their own critics, to assist medical research in other countries, for they are under no misapprehension about the value of such research to the world in general and to their own country in particular. An appreciation of their own problems will meet with reciprocal understanding in full measure. The amount of foreign exchange involved in the export of monkeys in India, which are a serious agricultural pest, is likely to be of far greater economic value to the country.

This memorandum must be regarded as strictly confidential. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, much of it would undoubtedly be repudiated by the Indian authorities, with unfortunate effects on the supply of monkeys from India. It is suggested that its circulation should be carefully controlled.'

Created William Lane-Petter, 'Memorandum on the Air Transport of Monkeys from India to the U.K.', 19th Oct., 1955 (DO 35/8639).
15 Oct 1955
Description:

'MEMORANDUM ON THE AIR TRANSPORT OF MONKEYS FROM INDIA TO THE U.K.

'MEMORANDUM ON THE AIR TRANSPORT OF MONKEYS FROM INDIA TO THE U.K.

1. OBJECTIVE:

The standard of shipment of monkeys from India to the U.K. has, up till now, varied from fairly good to bad. The best shipments have shown a mortality little if any above zero during air shipment. But, even in the best shipments, the monkeys, on arrival in the U.K., have appeared poorly nourished and suffering from some effect of stress. They have taken a long time to come into good condition and, during the three months or so after arrival, there has been a varying rate of mortality. This is not only inhuman but also wasteful, for the greater part of the cost of monkeys arriving in the U.K. is made up by the cost of freight. It would be more economical and, of course, more humane to ensure that monkeys to be shipped were in first class physical condition, even though this were to add to their cost ex-India, and that the conditions of their shipment were of the highest standard. The objective, therefore, should be so as to arrange the supply of monkeys from India to the U.K. that the wastage, both before and after arrival in the U.K., was as far as possible eliminated, and that the conditions should represent an example both of efficiency and of humanity.

2. CAUSES OF DISSATISFACTION:

a) FROM TRAPPING TO CONCENTRATION AREA: Monkeys are trapped by various methods in different parts of India, notably in the U.P. After trapping, the monkeys are placed in bamboo crates, and are sent down to the Delhi area by road and rail. Some methods of trapping are more humane than others, but there is a temptation for the trappers to crowd too many monkeys into one crate; to put in monkeys of different sizes, so that the smaller or weaker ones suffer; and to give inadequate food and water to the monkeys while they are in the crates. It is usual for the monkeys, when trapped, to show evidence of chronic under-nourishment. After trapping, their conditions will further deteriorate;

b) CONCENTRATION AREA: On arrival in the Delhi area, they are received into a compound, belonging to one or another of the big monkey dealers. Here, it has been customary to release the monkeys into larger cages, containing twenty-five, fifty or more monkeys per cage, to sort these roughly by size, to remove the injured and sick animals and to provide food, water and hygiene. The dealers are more or less skilled in the care of monkeys under such conditions, but they [2-3] have little or any expert scientific knowledge, and they have not, so far, employed the services of scientifically trained people to help and advise them. The result is that infection present in a few monkeys is liable to spread at least to other monkeys in the same cage, and sick monkeys are only removed when their symptoms become obvious. By this time, they may have infected their mates with tuberculosis, dysentery, parasitic infection and other diseases. However, in such large groups, even though there is some attempt to sort the monkeys by size, the weak animals will not get as much food and water as they need, and they will not improve in condition as they should;

c) SPACE REQUIREMENTS IN TRANSIT: Within a short time of their arrival in Delhi, depending on the availability of air transport, the monkeys considered fit for travel will be packed into travelling crates, and taken to the airport. The crate now used by the best dealers is, on the whole, satisfactory, but there have been instances where even a well-constructed crate has been overcrowded, or else monkeys of different sizes are placed in the same crate. If care is not taken to avoid overcrowding, or to see that monkeys are [3-4] properly sorted by size in the crates, then further deterioration must take place during transport from India to the U.K.;

d) THE AIR LIFT: The Air Companies, in particular the B.O.A.C., have given much attention to the care of animals during their journey. They have always shown themselves ready to adopt any measures suggested to them, and, if their methods are open to criticism, it is not from lack of willingness to co-operate, but rather from lack of good advice. One or more animal attendants always travel with the animals, and provision is made for feeding and watering them, both in the air and during the intermediate stops. At intermediate stops, the monkeys are taken off the plane and suitably accommodated, the cages are cleaned and sufficient food and water are given. Nevertheless, there is almost certainly room for improvement in the care of animals actually during transit;

e) RECEPTION IN THE U.K.: On arrival at London Airport, the monkeys are nearly always taken into the airport hostel, which is run by the R.S.P.C.A. Here further care and attention are given until the monkeys are removed for distribution to laboratories in the U.K. Their stay in the hostel is a matter of hours only. However, even this delay is undesirable, for it is essential that the monkeys should stay no longer in their travelling crates than is absolutely necessary.

3. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

a) FROM TRAPPING TO CONCENTRATION AREA: The steps that can be taken to improve the condition of the monkeys from the time they are trapped to their delivery to the Delhi area depends so much upon local circumstances that it is impossible to lay down any definite rules. It would be to the interest of the dealers purchasing animals from the trappers to ensure that, as far as possible, the monkeys are not overcrowded in their bamboo crates, that they are fed and - much more important - watered during this period, and that the length of this period is kept short as possible;

b) CONCENTRATION AREA: On arrival at the Dealers' compounds in the Delhi area, it is considered advisable that the monkeys should be put in twos or threes into small cages, rather than in larger numbers into bigger cages. This would, undoubtedly, add to the cost of accommodating them, and also to the labour of caring for them, but, if a serious attempt is to be made to control infection and to get the monkeys into good physical condition, this suggestion is absolutely necessary. This view is based on the knowledge and [5-6] experience of the members of the scientific staff of the Malaria Institute of India, who have great experience of this problem. It is necessary that the monkeys, while held in the dealers' compounds, should be individually examined by a qualified medical or veterinary man, in order to detect early signs of tuberculosis, dysentery and other infections. The proper sorting of monkeys into groups of two or three will also ensure that the monkeys actually take the food and water offered to them, and will, of course, reduce chances of infection present in one or two monkeys becoming widespread. Under these conditions, it is to be expected that the physical condition of the monkeys will improve rapidly, and that within three weeks or so they will be fit, well-nourished and ready for onward transmission to the U.K. Only monkeys that have put on condition [sic] during this stage should be shipped. Failure to put on condition during this convalescent period will also indicate some undiagnosed infection;

c) SPACE REQUIREMENTS: When the monkeys are ready to be shipped, they should be packed into their travelling crates in such a way as to avoid overcrowding and fighting and to ensure that they have facilities for being properly fed and watered. It should also be simple to keep the [6-7] cages cleaned while they are occupied by the monkeys. The design and dimensions of crates, and the number of monkeys per crate have been the subject of consideration both by the Indian Government and by the Medical Research Council. The experience of dealers and shippers has been valuable in this connection. While the recommendations concerning travelling crates should be sufficiently exacting to prevent overcrowding or other defects, they should, at the same time, give some latitude, in order to allow economic storage in the types of aircraft used for this traffic. Regulations based on cubic capacity rather than linear dimensions are more satisfactory. The exact observance of linear dimensions can result in an aircraft containing far fewer crates, while, at the same time, having much space unutilized. This adds considerably to the cost of freightage, without benefit to the animals.

...

4. RESULTS TO BE EXPECTED:

The above recommendations are, in many respects, radical. They will undoubtedly add to the cost of monkeys ex-India, due to the desirability of conditioning monkeys before they are shipped, instead of attempting to do so after their arrival in the U.K. However, since the total cost of monkeys in the U.K. is made up very largely by the cost of freightage, this should represent an overall economy, for it costs no more to ship a healthy monkey than it does a sick one. Moreover, under the new regulations, such as those recommended by the M.R.C., or those enforced by the Government of India, the cost of freightage is bound to be increased, and this once more stresses the importance of conditioning in India before shipment.

The wastage is not only represented by the number of monkeys actually dying within three months of arrival in the U.K. but also by the extra care and attention necessary for conditioning them after their arrival The result will be that the monkeys will cost perhaps one-and-a-half times to twice as much in the U.K.; but, if the above recommendations succeed in substantially reducing or eliminating the wastage, then both economy and humanity are well served. In this way, the objective, outlined under Section 1. of making the India-U.K. traffic in monkeys an example to be emulated by others in likely to be attained.'

Created [W. Lane-Petter], Laboratory Animals Bureau: Director's Report for Period December 1949 - March 1950 Inclusive, [April] 1950 (FD 1/382).
Apr 1950
Description:

'LABORATORY ANIMALS BUREAU.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR PERIOD DECEMBER 1949 - MARCH 1950 INCLUSIVE.

...

Monkeys.

So far it has not been definitely decided whether to resume the Gambia project. The spring catching season - about March - has been missed, but it may be possible to send Mr. Irons, or someone else, out for the autumn.

In Sierra Leone there is an annual monkey drive organised in the interests of farming, in which some 15000-20000 monkeys are driven and slaughtered. It is being provisionally arranged to take advantage of this circumstance to obtain monkeys for those laboratories requiring them. Their cost will almost certainly be less than £5 each (home) and very likely appreciably so. There is more than a possibility that numbers of chimpanzees will be available from this source.

In view of the uncertainty respecting the Gambia project no approach has been made to laboratories in order to find out their primate requirements. As soon as a firm programme has been fixed, this will be done.

Dr. Pasricha of India House has been approached about the possibility of obtaining Rhesus monkeys from the hill districts of India he considers it likely that a regular supply could be obtained, but cannot yet give any estimate of the price.'

Created [W. Lane-Petter], 'Progress Report 1949-50 of the Laboratory Animals Bureau (M.R.C. Laboratories, Hampstead, N.W.3.)', [October 1950] (FD 1/378).
Oct 1950
Description:

'...

Monkeys

A number of monkeys arrived in this country in September 1949 from the Gambia. This has been reported separately. In view of the small expense involved, and likelihood of being able to obtain primates more economically and in greater numbers from other parts of West Africa in future years, it was decided not to continue with the Gambia project.

An alternative source of West African monkeys is being exploited [sic]. In Sierra Leone there is an annual drive of monkeys, which are slaughtered by the thousand in the interests of farming. Arrangements have been made this year to obtain some of these animals alive, and distribute them to various workers who have requested supplies. They are expected in this country about the middle of October (1950).

...'

Created [W. Lane-Petter], 'Purchase of Monkeys in the Gambia,' 21st November, 1949 (FD 1/383).
21 Nov 1949
Description:

'PURCHASE OF MONKEYS IN THE GAMBIA

...

The cost of each monkey separately crated is         £1 15s. 0d.

Crate                                               £4 17s. 3d.

                                                      £6 12s. 3d.

The cost of the six which travelled together was      £9. 11s. 6d.

Crate                                                        £6. 9s. 11d.

                                                               £16. 1s. 5d.

The six monkeys separately crated were sent to Professor Zuckerman and the six created together to Professor Liddell at Oxford.

...

No further consignments will be despatched until the warm weather comes again and I told Lane-Petter that before Irons foes out to the Gambia again we should lay down a clear and simple drill for the reporting of the costs of each consignment. Crates must be returnable, otherwise their cost must be charged in full. In future, Lane-Petter will send out invoices with copy to us, payment to be made to this office.'

Created [W. Lane-Petter], 'Medical Research Council: Report of Conference on the Shipping of Monkeys by Air from Overseas,' 18th July, 1955 (FD 7/1329).
18 Jul 1955
Description:

'CONFIDENTIAL

...

The four organisations invited to attend accepted the invitation and were represented as follows -

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Mr. A.W. Moss - Chief Secretary

Major R.C.G. Hancock - Chief Veterinary Officer

Mr. F. Salmon - Manager, Animals Hostel, London airport.

The Research Defence Society

Dr. P. Eckstein, Department of Anatomy, Birmingham University Medical School.

British Overseas Airways Corporation

Mr. Engledew.

Shamrock Farms (Great Britain) Ltd.

Mr. E.V. Lonsdale.

...

2. Present position and need for recommendations:

Dr. Lane-Petter referred to the disaster at London Airport on 1st January as drawing attention to the conditions in which monkeys were travelling. In America great interest had been stirred up by the Animal Welfare Institute who had followed up their reports on the shocking condition in which monkeys were being received by constructive proposals for improvements in the size of cages, numbers of animals per cage, etc.

Now the demand was so great that inexperienced dealers were trading in monkeys and showing very little regard to fitness of the animals for export and their conditions of travel. An additional danger to the existing competitive undercutting amongst dealers was the possibility of airlines undercutting freight charges with corresponding worsening of conditions of travel.

... Dr. Lane-Petter had been greatly impressed on a visit to London airport by the arrangements made there by the R.S.P.C.A. for the care of monkeys in transit and by the efforts made by B.O.A.C. to ensure that the animals were transported as humanely as possible. It was felt, however, that satisfactory thought conditions were at London Airport, this was not getting at the source of the trouble and that there was an obligation on those using the animals to see that they were transported as comfortably as possible. The best means of achieving this seemed to the M.R.C. to call a conference representing animal users, experts in animal welfare and those responsible for transportation. The M.R.C. hoped that the outcome of the conference would be agreement on the best possible way of transporting animals from overseas and the formulation of appropriate recommendations to this end.

Mr. Whittaker drew attention to what might appear to be ommisions of interested parties from the Conference. The Council had purposely not invited representatives from the Commonwealth Relations Office and the Colonial Office though these Government Departments were aware that this meeting was being held. ... The Indian Government and the Governments of other countries or territories from which monkeys were being exported would be strongly recommended to issue permits for monkeys only to those who were prepared to accept the conditions and standards laid down. The Council were convinced that the Indian Government would prefer, for various reasons, not to have anything to do with the export of monkeys and would not themselves lay down standards for the issue of export permits, but there was reason to hope they would accept recommendations put forward from such a Conference as this and make the export of monkeys conditional upon these recommendations being adopted.

...

In general discussion it was clear that the meeting felt there was immediate need for recommendations on the shipping of monkeys by air. Mr. Salmon and Major Hancock, who had both had long experience in this field, drew attention to the rapid deterioration in conditions of travel since the steep rise in the demand for monkeys for poliomyelitis research which began in the U.S.A. about two years ago...

...

3. Recommendations.

In making recommendations the Chairman sounded a note of warning. It must be borne in mind that any standards laid down would concern only monkeys required by British users and monkeys transported by British air lines. It must also be remembered that the conditions laid down must not be so strict that the transport of monkeys would be lost to British air lines and diverted to foreign air lines with lower standards.

When the recommendations were submitted to the Indian and other Governments they might be asked to make them applicable to the export of monkeys to countries other than Britain.

There was general agreement that recommendations were required on all aspects of the trade in monkeys from catching to actual shipment. Specific recommendations were made as follows:-

(a) General requirements:

(i) No monkeys should be shipped under 6 months of age or under 4lbs. in weight.

(ii) That no obviously pregnant monkey be shipped.

(iii) That sexes be segregated.

(iv) That each cage contain only monkeys of uniform weight.

(v) That large adult monkeys be shipped in separate crates.

(b) Trapping: In India monkeys were netted and taken to Delhi. This might involve a journey of several days and it was desirable that proper attention should be paid to the care and feeding of monkeys at this stage to prevent debilitation.

(c) Holding: Monkeys were kept in Delhi in holding cages for approximately six or seven days and were sorted out in sizes and weights. This was in fact actual practice but it was desirable to include a recommendation for a seven-day holding period. There would, of course, be the risk of epidemics but this would have to be carried. So far as tuberculosis was concerned infection had been found to be less than one-half per cent if the monkeys were caught at a distance from towns but approximately fifty per cent if caught near a town.

(d) Veterinary certificates: There was a great need for appropriate recommendations regarding certificates of fitness for export. Certificates of fitness were known to be issued without sight of the animals.

(e) Cages or crates: The best cage at present in use seemed satisfactory and might be adopted as a standard and illustrated in the final recommendations. (Details:- Size 12" (deep) x 22" (high) x 36" (long), overall measurement; duckboard (not wire netting) flooring; wire netting front; no handles.

The cages should bear a clear note of the numbers and weights of the monkeys to be carried as follows:-

12 monkeys at 4 lbs. each

11 monkeys at 5 lbs. each

10 monkeys at 6 lbs. each

9 monkeys at 7 lbs. each

8 monkeys at 8 lbs. each

(Dr. Eckstein considered that this standard cage would be improved by increasing the height to 30" or 36".)

For monkeys over 8 lbs. in weight larger cages were recommended.

(f) Feeding and care in flight: The importance of keeping to the same food throughout was emphasised. Various types of diet (including fruit) had been tried and experience had shown that soaked gram gave the best results; having considerable water content it was an ideal food for monkeys in flight as giving them water whilst travelling was extremely difficult. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, however, required that cages be scraped clear of gram before leaving London Airport and barley and wheat fed to the monkeys; this was understood to be required by local conditions in America and not because there was any objection to the diet. The use of gram obviated the difficulty of ensuring maintenance of a standard diet manufactured in India and it had the advantage of being obtainable in India, England and America. It was recognised that feeding on the ground was more satisfactory than feeding in flight.

(g) Stops: It was felt that recommendations were also desirable in connection with stops. The need to give sufficient recouping time en route had to be set against the desirability of keeping the monkeys in travelling cages for as short a time as possible and getting them to their destination as quickly as possible. Major Hancock and Mr. Salmon drew attention to the large percentage of cause of death of monkeys after arrival given as "severe stress".

...

5. Completion of recommendations:

Attention was drawn to a report in THE TIMES of 18th July regarding a quota scheme being introduced by the Indian Government for the export of monkeys for medical research to the U.S.A., Britain, Australia and Canada. Requests for exports would be made by the Governments of each country who would have to guarantee that the monkeys would be humanely treated during transit. Other European Governments were understood to be applying for monkey export quotas. The present system under which permission of the Indian Government was required for every consignment of monkeys would continue meanwhile but from 1st September, 1955, the more liberal export system would be introduced by the quota allocation. It was, therefore, essential that the recommendations from this Conference by passed to the Indian Government by 1st September, 1955.'