Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)
April 23, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Dina Titus (D-Nev.) today introduced the Preventing Risky Importation of Monkeys to Avoid Toxic Exposures Act, or PRIMATE Act, legislation to prohibit the importation of nonhuman primates into the United States to reduce the risk of introducing dangerous pathogens and strengthen U.S. biosecurity.
Under this legislation, the importation of nonhuman primates is prohibited except for limited, clearly defined exceptions, including for accredited zoological institutions. The bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to deny entry to prohibited shipments and establishes civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation, along with forfeiture of illegally imported primates.
Each year, tens of thousands of primates are imported into the United States from high risk supply chains characterized by illegal trafficking, overcrowding, and poor disease surveillance. These networks span multiple regions, including countries of concern such as China, where such conditions allows dangerous pathogens to emerge and go undetected. These imports function as a direct entry route for high-risk biological threats introducing tuberculosis, one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases; herpes B virus, Salmonella, and other infectious agents including novel or poorly characterized pathogens into the U.S., with workers and surrounding communities bearing the immediate risk.
“Americans shouldn’t have to worry about dangerous diseases entering our country through imported primates from countries we don’t trust to handle biosecurity risks,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “This bill is about protecting public health, strengthening accountability, and terminating an outdated trade practice that risks safety at the expense of the American taxpayer.”
“The humane treatment of monkeys is not just the responsible thing to do, it is also the right thing to do,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “That is why I am proud to join Rep. Steube in introducing legislation that prevents the importation of monkeys for the purposes of experimentation and research. There are alternative, scientifically backed technologies that enable safer, more effective, and more accurate testing to support public health.”
“For decades, primates have been torn from the wild, shipped around the world, and forced into laboratories, creating serious public health risks along the way. Their importation exposes workers and our communities to dangerous pathogens. This bill is a crucial step toward ending that cruelty and protecting public safety. I applaud Representatives Steube and Titus for their leadership on this issue.” —Edie Falco, Award-winning Actress, Honorary Board Member for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
“U.S. importers are generating disease risk to keep an outdated research model alive. Modern, human-relevant methods don’t require the global trafficking of primates or the biosecurity liabilities that come with it. This legislation aligns public health policy with where science is actually headed.” —Lisa Jones-Engel, PhD, Chief Science Advisor, Primate Experimentation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)“Importing monkeys for research is hazardous to our nation’s health. It also fails to meet the moment of current science and research. The CDC has documented that imported primates can carry pathogens such as Shigella, Salmonella, and the herpes B virus, among other zoonotic diseases. At the same time, research is increasingly moving toward human-based methods that are more relevant to human health. This legislation helps reduce preventable health risks while aligning U.S. policy towards more innovative science.”—Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), George Washington University School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor of Medicine“Restricting the importation of nonhuman primates is a critical measure for safeguarding public health and preventing the introduction of emerging infectious diseases. This legislation reflects a necessary shift toward recognizing the interconnected health of people, animals, and ecosystems.”—Thomas R. Gillespie, PhD, Professor & Chair, Department of Environmental Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Professor at Emory University
Background: From 2021 to 2024, nearly 100,000 nonhuman primates were imported into the United States for laboratory testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, a system supported in part by American taxpayer dollars.
Recent biosecurity breaches have highlighted the serious risks associated with primate trade. At a biomedical facility in Immokalee, FL, federal inspectors issued a critical violation after multiple primates died in an overheated room. In a separate incident, a monkey was mistakenly transported to a medical waste facility in Miami, raising concerns about breakdowns in handling and tracking protocols. A facility executive has also faced criminal charges following reports that primates were improperly disposed of in biohazard waste.
These are not isolated failures; they expose systemic weaknesses in oversight and biosecurity practices tied to the importation of nonhuman primates.
Public health risks are further compounded by gaps in current quarantine protocols. Federal guidance acknowledges that diseases such as tuberculosis may not always be detected during quarantine, meaning infected primates can be transported into research facilities and come into contact with workers despite screening efforts.
Read the bill text here.