The Oregon National Primate Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University has received another clean bill of health from the United States Department of Agriculture. Approximately twice a year, the USDA conducts unannounced inspections of OHSU’s primate center to ensure that the facility is in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.

The latest report, which follows an inspection of ONPRC facilities and records on August 30, explains “No noncompliant items identified.” This is common language on all USDA reports when a facility is found to be in compliance. The primate center has a history of receiving reports that it is in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. The previous unannounced inspection, in February 2007, also found no items of noncompliance.

 “These inspection results reflect the dedication and hard work of the primate center’s excellent animal care staff,” said P. Michael Conn, Ph.D., associate director of the ONPRC. “Our employees truly care for the animals at the primate center in every sense of the word.” 

OHSU’s animal facilities on the Marquam Hill campus also received an unannounced inspection recently. The inspection, on August 21, also found no items of noncompliance. 

The ONPRC is a registered research institution, inspected regularly by the USDA. It operates in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and has an assurance of regulatory compliance on file with the National Institutes of Health. The ONPRC also participates in the voluntary accreditation program overseen by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC).

A copy of the USDA report is available by contacting Jim Newman at 503 494-8231 or at newmanj@ohsu.edu.