[#DIV28SUPER] Special Alert: You Still Have Time to Contact Congress!



gress NHP Attacks Happening Right Now!

Stop House Appropriations Attacks on NHP Research Today!   Congress is currently negotiating the final Labor-HHS funding bill for 2020. NABR previously sent an action alert limiting messages to Appropriations Committee members only. It is now important ALL members of Congress hear your concerns. Under consideration is the inclusion of troubling report language that was pushed by animal rights groups and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA). Congress is STILL negotiating the final bill RIGHT NOW. You still have time to contact your members of Congress! The report language in question reads as follows: "Intramural Non-Human Primate Research.—The Committee has expressed concern since 2015 about the NIH's intramural use of nonhuman primates in biomedical research. The Committee is especially concerned by a nearly 50 percent increase in NIH's use of nonhuman primates in research involving pain and distress since fiscal year 2014. The Committee is encouraged, however, by the NIH's January 2019 to Congress expressing support for the retirement of primates no longer needed for research. The Committee urges the NIH to accelerate efforts to reduce and replace the use of nonhuman primates with alternative research models and directs the NIH to provide a report to the Committee no later than 180 days after enactment that includes: (1) an overview of current NIH nonhuman primate use, including a table with summaries of all active projects, USDA pain categories, and their cost; (2) a detailed explanation of current NIH efforts to reduce and replace the use of primates in research with alternative methods; (3) an assessment of existing research technology not already in use by NIH to reduce and replace primate research and the feasibility of employing it to meet current and future research needs; (4) an assessment of areas where alternatives to primate research may not yet be available; (5) a detailed strategy and timeline for the reduction and replacement of NIH primate research with alternative research methods; and (6) standard operating procedures for the retirement of nonhuman primates no longer needed in research to suitable sanctuaries." Your action is needed IMMEDIATELY! Currently, Congress is considering restrictions on non-human primate research. You can contact your Representatives and Senators quickly through our VoterVoice link: https://www.votervoice.net/NABR/campaigns/66122/respond The sponsor of the language is Rep. Roybal-Allard (D-CA) who in a recent interview has stated the following: "Our fight has helped to stop the NIH's invasive chimpanzee research, and end harsh psychological experiments on baby monkeys. Now, I want NIH to put a plan in place that responsibly phases out the expensive, inefficient and inhumane practice of primate testing, in favor of modern research alternatives."    Rep. Roybal-Allard's language ignores the fact that it is already required by law for researchers to identify and embrace existing alternatives to NHP research before a protocol can move forward. It also ignores a report from the NIH that predicts a substantial INCREASE in primate research over the next five years.   NABR | 1100 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 1100 | Washington, DC 20005 | Tel 202.857.0540 | Fax 202.659.1902 | info@nabr