"Historical and Ethical Mistake": Organization One Voice Opposes Primate Breeding Centre Expansion

In the primate centre in Russey, in the department of Bush-du-Rhone, it is planned to triple the breeding capacity of monkeys - from 600 to 1800 individuals by 2029. The goal is to provide French laboratories with animals born in the country. For a year now, the organization One Voice has been actively campaigning against this project. Demonstrations are taking place all over France.

The day after World Laboratory Animal Day, April 24, the fight against the expansion of the CNRS Primate Centre in Russey gained new momentum. The centre intends to triple the number of primates used in scientific research.

Petition Gains Signatures

Opponents of the project call it a “historical and ethical failure”. The head of the One Voice campaign cannot understand how it is possible to offer even more primates to laboratories for an “absolutely unbearable, traumatizing life, equivalent to torture”.

On Saturday, April 25, at the Old Port in Marseille, activists organized a petition signing event.

“This shocks me. I am shaken, I am a little disgusted, and I am disappointed. I love my country, but I knew absolutely nothing about this. I know Russey - a beautiful, clean little town. But this is hidden there, which means it is something dirty,” shared one of the signatories.

Irreplaceable Primates?

Last autumn, we were able to visit the primate centre. Its director met us in the room where young Papio anubis - a type of baboon - were kept. According to her, French science still relies too much on animals imported from abroad.

“You have to understand: these animals are brought from somewhere, they come from abroad. This means that for conducting research in the field of public health, we are dependent on other countries. Here, some of these animals will be raised in France, at our station,” explained the centre’s director.

A Project Costing 31 Million Euros of State Funds

Some scientists insist that completely abandoning experiments on living creatures is currently impossible - especially in the field of cognitive sciences, neurodegenerative diseases, and some types of cancer.

Opponents of the expansion, in turn, point out France’s special position on this issue.

“The future lies in finding alternatives without using animals: they are more accurate in relation to humans, cheaper, and more ethical,” state One Voice.

The next actions are planned for Sunday, April 26: in the morning - in Frejus, and in the afternoon - in Nice.