Sent from J.D. Whittaker
4 Mar 1958
Description:

'Dear Miss Simmons,

I am writing, as promised, to confirm my telephone conversation with you regarding the ban by the Government of India on the export of monkeys under six pounds in weight.

We are afraid that this ban will lead to a great decrease in the numbers of monkeys exported, and will therefore cause considerable disruption in the production of poliomyelitis vaccines in this and other countries. We doubt whether the Indian Government could be persuaded to rescind the ban, but we do think it should be modified to the extent that the minimum weight should be reduced to four pounds. As far as we are concerned, four pound monkeys are just as suitable for medical research purposes as six pound monkeys, provided of course that they are otherwise in good health. We shall be grateful if representations on these lines can be made to the Government of India.

We have heard that in addition to this weight ban the Government of India propose to amend their existing regulations governing the numbers of monkeys which may be put in the standard export cage, and that in future only five monkeys will be allowed in a cage very slightly smaller than the present standard cage. We think that such an amendment if introduced would not benefit the monkeys but would in fact be to their disadvantage. The present cage sizes and numbers per cage were worked out on the basis of long experience, and we know of no evidence which might suggest that a change is desirable. In addition, of course, such a change would mean a great increase in the demand for air freight space (which B.O.A.C. might well not be able to meet), and a very great increase in price. Here again we shall be grateful if representations can be made to the Government of India that no change should be made in the existing regulations.'