Ethics

PSGB advocates the highest possible ethical standards in all work undertaken by its members and the primatological community more widely.

Abstract Submission: Ethical Guidelines

Authors submitting talks or posters must confirm that the research in question was carried out in accordance with the ASAB/ABS Guidelines for the Treatment of Animals in Behavioural Research and Teaching which can be viewed here.

Ethical Guidelines for Sponsorship and Donations

The Society wishes to seek a wide range of sponsorship and donations from diverse sources, including corporations, but acceptance of sponsorship must conform with ethical guidelines.

The Positive

PSGB will be very pleased to hear from and work with sponsors/donors that are associated with the following:

* Environmental protection
* Pollution control
* Conservation and recycling
* Safety and security
* Ethical employment practices

The Negative

- PSGB will not accept support from any business whose core activity contributes to global climate change, via the extraction or production of fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas), with an extension to the distribution of those fuels that have a higher global warming impact (e.g. tar sands and certain biofuels) unless said business has a clear and public commitment to conservation action.

- PSGB will not accept support from any organisation involved in conducting scientific procedures on non-human primates unless said organisation conforms to all UK Legislation.

- PSGB will not accept support from any organisation that advocates discrimination and incitement to hatred.

- PSGB will not accept support from the manufacture or transfer of indiscriminate weapons, e.g. cluster bombs and depleted uranium munitions.

- PSGB will not accept finance from organisations that fail to implement basic labour rights as set out in the Fundamental ILO Conventions, e.g. avoidance of child labour, or that actively oppose the rights of workers to freedom of association, e.g. in a trade union.

- PSGB will not accept support from organisations that impede access to basic human necessities, e.g. safe drinking water or vital medicines.

- PSGB will not accept support from any business whose core activity contributes to activities that risk damaging the environment or compromising human health.

Field Primatology Guidelines

 PSGB promotes field primatology conducted under the IPS Code of Best Practices in Field Primatology, established in 2014.  

Best Practice Guidelines for Primate Wellbeing

Two thirds of the world's primates are endangered, and even those that do not face direct conservation risks are increasingly exposed to welfare challenges. 

The Primate Society of Great Britain supports work and research that improves primate wellbeing in captivity and in the wild. 

PSGB is fundamentally opposed to the keeping of primates as pets, and fully supports the banning of this practice. We recognise at the same time that appropriate measures need to be put in place for the protection, rescue and rehabilitation of the individual animals currently held as pets. You can read our full statement here.

As our closest living relatives, we naturally find primates charismatic animals, making them a big draw for tourism and for media providers looking to attract attention. However, in line with our statement on primates as pets, we are opposed to the use of primates as props for tourism and media. The IUCN has issued several detailed resources on best practice when visiting tourist areas with primates, and the use of primate images and video in the media.

Marmoset photo from iStock.com/konmesa