Barbara Boxer: “the Captive Primate Safety Act, S. 1498, is an important, bipartisan bill promoting the humane treatment of animals and…”

“the Captive Primate Safety Act, S. 1498, is an important, bipartisan bill promoting the humane treatment of animals and protecting public health and safety from the considerable risks associated with primate pet ownership and trade. On May 24, 2007, I introduced S. 1498, with Senators Vitter, Lautenberg, Lieberman, and Menendez. Senator Ensign is also a cosponsor. Nonhuman primates are susceptible to many biological agents that infect human beings, including tuberculosis, Ebola/Marburg, and poxviruses. Because of the serious health risk, importing nonhuman primates into the United States for the pet trade has been banned by Federal regulation since 1975. In addition, many States already prohibit these animals as pets. Still, there is an active trade in these animals. Estimates are that 15,000 are in private hands; however, as the trade is largely unregulated, the number may be much higher. Because many of these animals move in interstate commerce, Federal legislation is needed. This legislation amends the Lacey Act to prohibit transporting monkeys, great apes, lemurs, and other non-human primates across State lines for the pet trade.”