Non-human primate accommodation, care and use

In collaboration with funding bodies, the NC3RS published guidelines in 2006 designed to improve the housing and care of non-human primates at UK universities and other publicly funded laboratories. The guidelines exceeded the legal minimum standards required by the UK Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and associated Codes of Practice, the US ILAR Guide and similar international texts. A new version of the guidelines was released on 23 October 2017. This new version also incorporates and replaces the 2004 LASA/MRC document ‘Key considerations in the breeding of macaques and marmosets for scientific purposes’.

Implementation of the principles in the guidelines is a condition of receiving funds for non-human primate research (conducted in the UK and abroad) from the funding bodies. The guidelines complement the peer review process for grant applications involving non-human primates, which takes into account welfare considerations, implementation of the 3Rs, and compliance with the guidelines, through the involvement of the NC3Rs.

The guidelines cover Source of primates; Experimental design; Accommodation and environment; Capture, handling, restraint and training; Veterinary care; Staff; Fate of animals; Implementing the 3Rs; References and Further resources.
The guidelines are available here on the website of the NC3Rs, England.