by Nicole Bradford
Pearland City Council on Monday joined Brazoria County Commissioners in opposing a primate animal laboratory in an unincorporated part of the county.
“The question is, do we want to have this type of a laboratory in Brazoria County,” Mayor Kevin Cole said. “It caught (the county) by surprise, and they don’t have the authority to regulate land use. They’re just really concerned about this being in the county and what potential health hazards it could bring with it.”
Charles River Laboratories purchased approximately 500 acres in the western portion of the county, though plans are currently on hold due to floodplain concerns, according to reports.
In a Jan. 2 release, PETA states Charles River Laboratories is planning the “largest monkey holding facility outside Asia — capable of housing 43,000 primates.”
County Commissioners in November passed a resolution against the “Charles River Monkey Facility.”
“It’s an area located off County Road 2,” City Manager Trent Epperson told the council. “The county asked all the cities (within it) to pass a similar resolution based on theirs.”
The county resolution urges state and federal officials to deny any permits sought by the facility from regulatory authorities.
“Brazoria County is concerned about the public’s health and safety, the animal welfare and pathogen introduction with the development of this facility,” the county’s resolution reads.
