Monkeys on Air France planes? Thousands say no
More than 25,000 people have joined a campaign on Change.org calling on Air France to adopt a policy refusing to transport primates destined for research. The renewed call for an end to primate shipments follows a successful campaign on Change.org demanding that Air France cancel a shipment of primates from Africa to the Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories in the U.S., which gathered more than 600 signatures in less than 24 hours.
The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), a UK animal protection organization dedicated to ending animal experimentation, is leading the campaign on Change.org calling on major airlines to adopt a policy to ban the transportation of primates for the research industry.
“We are pleased that Air France responded to the international outcry and canceled last week’s shipment of primates,” said Sarah Kite, the director of special projects at BUAV. “However, it is now time for Air France to join the other major international airlines and place a permanent embargo on all future primate shipments. Thousands of people have joined our campaign on Change.org demanding an end to the suffering endured by primates shipped as cargo. We are renewing our call for Air France to change its policy or they will continue to face a public outcry.”
Dozens of airlines around the world have already joined BUAV’s list of airlines to stop such shipments following pressure from the organization and travelers. British Airways, Delta Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Eva Air, Alitalia and, most recently, American Airlines and Lufthansa are among the many airlines that refuse to fly primates destined for research.
“BUAV’s campaign has clearly resonated with people around the world,” said Change.org Director of Organizing Stephanie Feldstein. “More than 25,000 people have asked Air France and other airlines to stop shipping primates for research. It’s clear that the BUAV isn’t going to give up until passenger airlines are no longer flying animals destined for research in their cargo holds.”
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