Recipient of W. Lane-Petter to Sir Harold Himsworth, 21st June, 1955 (FD 7/1329).
21 Jun 1955
Description:

'Dear Sir Harold,

In recent weeks various American interests have been very actively interested in the manner in which monkeys have been transported to the United States by air and in the condition in which they have been arriving. There has been a great variation in the methods of shipping and care in transit. The three major complaints have been overcrowding, the use of unsuitable crates and lack of provisions for feeding and watering on the journey, and, indeed, many of the animals that have died have been diagnosed as dying of acute malnutrition. We have shown less active interest in this country so far.

I think, therefore, that we should take the initiative in making recommendations about the conditions of shipping monkeys by air from overseas. To this end I suggest that the Council might call a conference to make such recommendations and this conference should represent the Council, B.O.A.C., the R.S.P.C.A. (in the person of the Manager of the Animal Hostel at London Airport), Shamrock Farms (at the moment our receiving agent in this country) and the Research Defence Society. I include the last named because, at the instigation of their President, Lord Waverly, I went to London Airport some weeks ago to investigate the subject which was considered to be one in which the Society was legitimately interested.

I do not think it necessary or desirable to invite an Indian representative to the conference. I think the conference should make positive recommendations which should then be transmitted to the Indian Government with the suggestion that they only issue permits to export monkeys to those who observe these recommendations.

The object of this conference will be to show quite plainly that we, who wish to use the monkeys, together with those that we employ to transport them and to handle them, have a lively interest in seeing that this traffic is properly regulated. We should not expect the Indians in the first place to take this responsibility but, only if we have taken the initiative, invite them to cooperate. I believe that we might in this way impress them very favourably with our good intentions.

If you agree that such a conference is desirable, I think that no time should be lost in organising it.'