Hammerhead International Ltd has submitted an application to the Mauritian Ministry of Environment for an Environment Impact Assessment certificate to establish a monkey breeding farm in Le-Val district.
The primary aim of the project is to breed macaques for export and research purposes. Four sites on a land area of 100 hectares will house a total of 12,000 non-human primates. The farm will be run and operated according to local regulations, international standards, and best industry practices.
The promoter is aware of the potential environmental implications and has incorporated measures to ensure that the project does not have any significant impacts on the environment. Around 4,000 long-tailed macaques will be exported annually to North America, Europe, and Asia.
The promoter notes that there is a growing demand for non-human primates for research purposes, and the project will contribute significantly to the Mauritian economy. The farm will have a resident veterinary doctor, and the personnel will be trained and experienced.
Hammerhead International hopes to obtain its EIA licence in April 2022. Around 100 people will be employed directly and indirectly in the project. Currently, six local companies export 10,000 long-tailed macaques, generating over one billion Mauritian rupees annually.
The total number of direct and indirect employment from these companies is around 2,000 workers. Mauritius has around 50,000 macaques in captivity and 70,000 in the wild. The capture, breeding, and use of non-human primates for research is a controversial and sensitive subject. The general pre-conceived opinion is that these animals are subjected to inhumane practices.
The promoter clarifies that the animals are managed with the utmost care and attention to minimal pain. The promoter argues that animal testing is necessary to test the safety and efficacy of new medicines before they are administered to humans.
Human and animal testing is mandated by law before drugs can be approved. In summary, the proposed monkey breeding farm aims to breed 12,000 macaques for export and research purposes, generate foreign currency, and contribute to capacity-building and economic growth while adhering to local and international regulations and best practices.
Source: Le Mauricien
