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The NC3Rs has developed a broad programme of work designed to improve the welfare of laboratory non-human primates and lead to greater application of the 3Rs to primate use. The Centre publishes guidelines and reviews research proposals involving primates, convenes and co-ordinates symposia and working groups, produces staff training materials, funds refinement research, and provides expert input to the primate-related activities of other organisations.
Also, as part of its work on the use of animals in the pharmaceutical industry, the NC3Rs collaborates with the ABPI to review the use of primates in drug discovery and development. The aim is to identify means of minimising primate use and enhancing the implementation of the 3Rs.
The NC3Rs guidelines 'Primate accommodation, care and use' are a condition of funding of the major research council and charitable funders of primate research in academia. The NC3Rs advises the funding bodies on implementation of the principles in the guidance.
In addition, the NC3Rs provides animal welfare and 3Rs review of grant and fellowship applications involving use of primates to the MRC, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, Royal Society and AMRC charities. See Peer review for more information.
The NC3Rs Primate Welfare Meeting is an annual, free, 1-day event focused on welfare and refinement, for the professional development of staff working with primates. Participants hear about best practice, network and share views and information on primate issues face-to-face with their peers.
The NC3Rs co-ordinates an expert working group that is producing guidelines on refining the use of food and fluid control as motivational tools for macaques used in behavioural neuroscience research.
NC3Rs staff has produced training materials on a range of topics in primate welfare, including primate senses and communication signals, refining scientific procedures and husbandry, training of primates for co-operation with scientific, veterinary and husbandry procedures as a means of refinement, transport and rehoming.
The Centre has funded production of a DVD on refinements in primate husbandry via the NC3Rs/LASA Small Awards Scheme. Further information on primate housing and husbandry is available in the Information Portal.
For sources of information and advice on the welfare and use of non-human primates, including literature databases, professional organisations and discussion groups, see Primate-related links. Also included are networking initiatives and primate tissue banks.
As part of its 3Rs research portfolio, the NC3Rs funds research which aims to refine the use of head implants and back connectors in neuroscience studies with macaques.
The NC3Rs inputted into the AMS/Royal Society/MRC/Wellcome Trust NHP study working group, established to examine the recent, current and future scientific basis for biological and medical research with primates and chaired by Sir David Weatherall. The NC3Rs response to the Weatherall Committee recommendations was published in 2006.
The Centre is co-operating with the national primate strategy and 10-year review of primate research funded by the MRC, BBSRC and Wellcome Trust, announced following publication of the Weatherall Committee report.
NC3Rs staff contribute to the work of the Animal Procedures Committee, the captive care committees of the International Primatological Society and Primate Society of Great Britain.
For more information on these initiatives contact mark.prescott@nc3rs.org.uk
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