Dutch vote threatening primate research is delayed

Senators from diverse Dutch political parties have delayed a vote on the 2025 budget of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), which included a gradual reduction in funding for primate research.  

The delay is due to their request for written questions, which are to be answered by 9 September. These questions would clarify the potential consequences of a controversial amendment that could phase out government funding for primate research at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) by 2030.  

The move followed a joint letter, co-signed by various significant Dutch and European health and research organisations, an initiative co-led by EARA. The letter, sent to senators on Monday 7 July, urged them to either reject the budget if the amendment remains in place or to postpone the vote to allow proper consideration of its implications. 

Several major Dutch media outlets covered the story prior to the planned vote, including Het Financieele Dagblad and EenVandaag, bringing further public and political attention to the issue. 

The Party for the Animals (PvdD) and the Party for Freedom (PVV) proposed a phased reallocation of the OCW subsidy, increasing the portion spent on alternatives to animal research. By 2030, the entire subsidy would be allocated to alternatives, eliminating funds for primate research. Despite warnings from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), OCW, and a recent independent investigation, the motion passed Parliament with a narrow 76-74 vote on Thursday, 3 July.  

Under political pressure, the BPRC has already seen the reduction of primate experiments to a maximum of 150 per year. These experiments focus on life-threatening and disabling diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, COVID-19, hepatitis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.