The EU funded project EUPRIM-Net networks eight European primate centres and is aimed at advancing knowledge and competence in biological and biomedical research, animal keeping and breeding. The project objectives focus on animal welfare, the standardisation of procedures and methods as well as training for those working with primates.

The Objectives of EUPRIM-Net Network Activity 4

The rational and ethical use of primates in basic and applied biological and biomedical research must be based on a sound knowledge of general primate biology by scientists and all other staff involved in this research. Knowledge of morphological, physiological, behavioural and ecological characteristics of primates in general and of those primate species which are used in biological and biomedical research in particular is essential for planning and conducting studies and experiments. Furthermore, knowledge of husbandry, including keeping, nutrition, breeding, and handling is essential both for good scientific practice and for the sake of animal welfare.

While this primatological knowledge exists it is distributed and particularly outside the European Primate Centres it is difficult to get exposure to a structured teaching of the state-of-the-art of knowledge about primatology.

Therefore this network activity has the following objectives:

• To develop a curriculum based on modules that can be compiled for customized courses on primate biology, husbandry and experimentation.
• To offer this course to various target groups from both inside and outside the EUPRIM-NET partners.
• To compile and edit a textbook that will aim to become the authoritative reference on keeping and using primates for research purposes.

This activity will have considerable impact across Europe. It will:

• Increase and broaden the competence of researchers and other European personnel involved in primate research,
• thereby indirectly improving the housing and handling and thus the welfare of laboratory primates,
• as a consequence increase the quality of research using primates,
• contribute to the 3R-concept by ensuring excellence in all aspects of research using primates, thus avoiding inefficiencies and therefore reducing the number of primates needed,
• promote common standards by teaching SOPs developed as part of Network Activity 2.