Domestic sources of primate supplies are not subject to the same degree 
of uncertainty as are foreign sources. Although disease or other dis¬ 
asters may affect them, fairly precise predictions can still be made. 
Since domestic production at the current stage of development is almost 
totally under the direct control of sponsors, information concerning 
these activities must be centrally accumulated so that assessment on a 
national level can be performed. 
It is recommended that each sponsor periodically inform the IPSC 
of the status of its production activities, identifying any 
primates that may be excess to its immediate need, and its 
intentions of future involvement in production activities. 
The above information will be most useful in evaluating immediate and 
short-range situations. In addition, general and long-range information 
which provides an overall perspective of the supply/demand picture, must 
be developed in a manner which is not solely dependent upon the direct 
participation of sponsors or performers. Specifically, this information 
should address: (1) the relationship between changes in research em¬ 
phasis and the impact on primate requirements; (2) the effects of new 
legislation or regulations that may influence the use or nonuse of 
primates; (3) the impact of any actions that have been taken as a result 
of the National Primate Plan; (4) the changing state of knowledge con¬ 
cerning the usefulness of the various species of primates to the bio¬ 
medical community; (5) the effect of the private sector's involvement in 
this field from both the demand and supply orientations; and (6) other 
indices that may paint a clearer picture. 
Many avenues must be pursued in the development of this type of infor¬ 
mation. The organization undertaking this task requires an extensive 
network of contacts and must be knowledgeable in many areas of expertise 
It is recommended that the IPSC assume the responsibility of 
developing this overall perspective in an efficient and effective 
manner and provide for its periodic updating. 
It is not intended that the IPSC develop an extensive information system 
to specifically address these questions but rather utilize the many 
already existing systems, especially those within the public sector, 
such as the United States Department of Agriculture reports on the use 
of animals in research and import records from the Center for Disease 
Control and the Departments of Interior and Commerce, supplementing 
33 
