The Interagency Primate Steering Committee (IPSC) was established to 
develop a unified approach to assure both short- and long-term supplies 
of nonhuman primates for national health needs. The National Primate 
Plan, developed as this unified approach, recognizes the continual need 
for a coordinated program and recommends that the IPSC continue to per¬ 
form in this capacity. Specific responsibilities, consistent with the 
initial charge made to the IPSC, are identified within the National 
Primate Plan and are summarized below. 
Responsibilities for Ensuring the Most Effective Use of Primates 
* Programs developed by sponsors to ensure the effective use of 
primates will be reviewed by the IPSC to determine the completeness 
of the programs and their adherence to established criteria. The 
IPSC will also be available to sponsors for advice and assistance 
during the development of these programs. 
* The IPSC will serve as the channel for determination of impact 
of any regulation, standard, or guideline developed by Federal 
agencies which either requires that primates be used or restricts 
their availability. The IPSC will also be available for advice and 
assistance to these agencies in the early stages of the regulatory 
development process. 
Responsibilities for the Production of Primates in the United States 
* The IPSC will plan and coordinate a national program of domestic 
primate production. The funding and operation of specific primate 
production programs, however, remains a responsibility of sponsors. 
The IPSC, from its supervisory perspective of the overall primate 
usage and supply system, will recommend specific courses of action 
for the consideration of these sponsors to ensure the development 
of a balanced, comprehensive program of domestic primate production 
* The IPSC will review proposals developed by sponsors for the 
production of primates and will facilitate the exchange of infor¬ 
mation between sponsors of such programs. This service will be 
available to all sponsors, including those of the private sector. 
Responsibilities for Ensuring a Stable Supply of Primates From 
Foreign Sources 
* In response to the overall needs of sponsors and performers, the 
IPSC will develop international cooperative programs to ensure a 
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