CITES Committee Releases New Assessment on Long-Tailed Macaque Breeding Practices in Cambodia
On November 20, 2025, the CITES Permanent Committee, tasked with monitoring international wildlife trade, unveiled a significant report regarding the breeding practices of long-tailed macaques in Cambodia. This initiative underscores the importance of ensuring ethical practices in animal breeding, especially given the critical role that these primates play in biomedical research worldwide. The report, released ahead of an upcoming committee meeting, praises Cambodia for its comprehensive data provision and science-led approach, showcasing the country's commitment to responsible breeding practices.
The CITES assessment highlights the robust customs and inspection procedures that Cambodia has established. These mechanisms are well integrated within the national one-stop shop system, enhancing transparency through diligence in inspections and documentation. This acknowledgment from the CITES committee reflects the effective collaboration between Cambodia and the global community, recognizing the nation’s dedication to aligning with international standards for wildlife trade.
Long-tailed macaques are invaluable to biomedical research due to their biological similarities to humans. They are the most commonly studied non-human primates for evaluating drug safety, contributing vastly to advancements in regenerative medicine, immunology, cancer research, vaccine development, and pharmacology. However, allegations of illegal activities and interference from certain interest groups in the U.S. had previously hampered imports of these important research models from Cambodia, threatening the integrity of medical research in the United States.
Matthew R. Bailey, President of the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR), expressed satisfaction with the latest CITES report, which affirms Cambodia’s compliance with international laws and regulations. Bailey emphasized, "This report confirms Cambodia’s adherence to set standards and demonstrates that the crucial animal research models needed in the U.S. can be sourced from this country."
In a further statement, Bailey extended gratitude to Cambodia for its transparency and cooperation during the review process, expressing the NABR’s readiness to collaborate with the U.S. and other nations on these pertinent issues.
Founded in 1979, the National Association for Biomedical Research specializes in advocating for the humane use of animals in biomedical research, education, and testing. The organization comprises over 340 member institutions, including universities, medical schools, veterinary schools, and pharmaceutical companies. These members rely on humane and responsible animal research to advance health outcomes for both humans and animals globally. More detailed information about the NABR can be found on its official website.
The publication of this report is crucial not only for maintaining ethical standards in animal research but also for ensuring the continuous availability of vital research materials, which are paramount for the development of new medical treatments. The ongoing commitment of countries like Cambodia to uphold these standards strengthens international collaboration in essential biomedical science. As the medical research community looks to regain access to long-tailed macaques, this report may play a pivotal role in reversing previous declines in animal model availability and facilitating progress in urgent medical research initiatives.