The Canadian Transportation Agency decision has confirmed Air Canada's right to refuse live shipments of primates, eg monkeys and chimps, for laboratory experiments…

The Canadian Transportation Agency found Air Canada’s planned tariff revisions to stop the transportation of non-human primates for research as neither unreasonable or discriminatory.

Humane Society International/Canada, Animal Alliance of Canada plus Justice for Animals welcomed the ruling.

Animal welfare advocates are now calling on other Canadian airlines to follow the humane policy of Air Canada and for Canada research bodies to commit to non-animal related tools and technologies.

"This landmark ruling confirms the right of Air Canada to refuse shipment of primates to laboratories, which is an important stimulus for more human relevant biomedical research as well as the replacement or reduction of animal use…" explained Gabriel Wildgen, of HSI/Canada.

Animal Alliance of Canada Director, Liz White, says: "We're delighted that Air Canada will now officially join the ranks of other progressive airlines that refuse to be party to this animal cruelty..."

Humane Society International says over 60 airlines, including British Airways and United Airlines, have already committed to refuse shipments of species, including in some cases all animals, heading for lab experiments...

It’s a reminder of the role business can play in promoting animal welfare and also the part animal welfare charities are performing in affecting change towards more humane policies…

Airlines have been under increasing pressure in recent years from animal welfare campaigners to stop carrying primates for research, with campaigns including PETA’s last year that was aimed at blocking transport of primates from China to the USA.