The largest project for a monkey-holding facility in the United States, which was planned for Brazoria County, has been put on hold, according to the KPRC 2 Investigates team.
Originally, the proposed form of the Brazoria County facility stated it would house up to 43,000 non-human primates. The company later adjusted this number, but failed to mention it in their response.
The outcry against the project has been widespread, with opposition coming from both local residents and elected officials. Local governments, including Brazoria County, have passed proclamations against the project.
Concerns from people in the area include loose animals, noise, odors, and the potential for diseases.
Friends of the River San Bernard, a registered non-profit organization, consists of locals who are worried about the health of the river and its users.
Keith Cunningham, a resident of rural Brazoria County and a graduate of Colgate University, is one of many residents who have expressed opposition to the facility.
“Well, the problem is the potential of 43,000 monkeys at this facility. And the runoff from the waste produced by those monkeys could potentially end up contaminating the river,” Cunningham said.
U.S. Representative Randy Weber, representing the 14th Congressional District, has lived in the area his whole life and has made it clear that he will intervene to stop the project if necessary.
“This will not go away. As long as my constituents are saying we don’t want it, then it’s incumbent upon me to reflect that,” Congressman Weber said.
Weber told KPRC 2 Investigates via Zoom that he would contact the CDC, if necessary, to weigh in on the viability of the project at the proposed site, which appears to hold water.
Weber said there are still many permits for Charles River Laboratories, a Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company, that runs a worldwide business of animal testing for scientific research purposes.
“Their thoughts are, ‘You know what, if we’re having so many problems getting monkeys into this country, let’s just try to import our breeding stock and then breed them here and take out that whole international headache because it’s a headache for them,” Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, Senior Science Advisor for PETA, said.
PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is working with residents in Damon, Texas, which has a population of 200.
Charles River Laboratories sent the following response in regards to the facility being placed on hold:
“Charles River representatives met extensively with Brazoria officials in December regarding a proposed facility on our land in Brazoria County. We believe it was productive meeting, and we all shared important information, perspectives and concerns on behalf of both the residents of Brazoria County and Charles River. We thank the Brazoria representatives for the recognition and support we received for our role in the discovery and development of new life changing and lifesaving medicines, treatments and cures, including our work on more than 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the last five years.
We particularly appreciated the new information shared by Brazoria officials regarding potential stormwater management and drainage issues that may impact the site and surrounding areas. With respect to this information and these issues, we have asked our design and engineering firms to further assess the suitability of this site. This assessment is likely to take significant time, perhaps months, and in the interim, we will suspend any future permitting requests, actions or activities at the site.
During this time, we hope to keep the lines of communication open and appreciate the continued cooperation of local officials as we may seek additional information needed to conduct a proper assessment. Over the past 70 years, including 40 in the state of Texas, Charles River Labs has grown to become a company with over 21,000 employees at over 150 sites in 21 countries by being a good neighbor in the communities where we work and live. We look forward to continuing to listen, cooperate and work with the community as we assess next steps.”
State Rep. Joan Huffman response to the facility:
“I stand with the residents and locally elected officials in Brazoria County that are opposed to this project. My office has been in constant contact with TCEQ since the Fall on this issue, and we will be directly informed if a wastewater permit application is submitted to the agency. If an application is submitted, I will immediately request a public hearing be held near the site so that residents can make their opposition known directly to TCEQ and the permit application.”