A group of regional animal welfare campaigners staged a peaceful demonstration outside Dukinfield Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon (7 October) ahead of Tameside Council’s full meeting.
The protest aimed to raise awareness of the continued import of long-tailed macaque monkeys through Manchester Airport.
Organisers claim that more than 1,100 macaques have arrived at the airport so far this year, largely from Mauritius and Vietnam, and that the animals are transported “in tiny wooden crates, sitting in their own urine and faeces.”
Campaign spokespersons also alleged that some airport staff “have been coerced into handling live cargoes against their religious and ethical beliefs,” and raised concerns over “zoonotic diseases including TB and hepatitis A on monkey farms abroad.”
The demonstration was visually eye-catching, featuring banners, props and a six-foot cardboard macaque mascot. Organisers invited councillors to speak with them and take photographs with the mascot.
Cllr Kaleel Khan supported the demonstrations.
The protest is part of a wider campaign, supported by the charity Action for Primates, calling for an end to what activists describe as “a deplorable trade.” Campaigners say they hope Tameside will follow other councils, including Stockport, Bury and some members of Manchester City Council, which have expressed opposition to the flights.
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