USDA Cites Primate Center for Marmoset Injury

A USDA report dated 3/10/14 discloses that Harvard's Primate Research Center has again been cited for improper animal handling by the USDA. The original incident took place in late 2012. In the same report Harvard was also cited for Unqualified Personnel due to errors in weighing/dosing a primate, which was also reported by SAEN.

The two non-compliances were reported to the USDA by a SAEN Official Complaint filed in January of 2014. The SAEN complaint was based on records obtained through FOIA from the National Institutes of Health's Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

Harvard is the fourth lab cited in recent months following SAEN complaints which were based on NIH/OLAW documents. The University of California (Davis), University of Washington (Seattle), and the University of Houston have all recently been cited for animal deaths/injuries as a direct result of SAEN complaints.

“Harvard deserves to be fined again,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!). “Primate Center staff still hasn't figured out how to handle monkeys without causing bone fractures."

"SAEN has uncovered the NIH's dirty little secret," added Budkie. "We expect many more successful lab prosecutions in coming months."

The Harvard Medical School was recently fined over $24,000 for repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act from Act from February 2011 - July 2012 for multiple incidents of primate deaths, injuries and escapes.

The federal records and complaint are available upon request from SAEN.

http://www.all-creatures.org/saen/press-20140402.html
http://www.all-creatures.org/saen/