The use of any animal for medical research rightly attracts public attention (Jane Goodall and Peter Gabriel urge Air France to stop ferrying lab monkeys, theguardian.com, 20 May). But the majority of people accept that animal research is currently essential to help deliver life-changing and life-saving new medicines. In the UK, it is illegal to use an animal in research if a validated non-animal alternative is available. Nevertheless, the carefully regulated use of animals remains a vital tool in improving our understanding of disease and ensuring the safety of new medicines.

The use of primates understandably provokes strong emotion. As your report recognises, they currently account for less than 0.1% of all animal procedures licensed by the Home Office, yet their highly regulated use has been of great importance in major medical advances such as life-support systems for premature babies and deep-brain stimulation to relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

The use of primates in research today is focused predominantly on major infectious diseases, such as treatments for tuberculosis, important neurological studies and new treatments for paralysis. In addition, UK and international law is clear that the vast majority of medicines intended for human use cannot be licensed without testing on animals, and primates are used for some of this testing, but only where they are shown to be the most appropriate species. While the coalition recognises the importance of such use of animals, we are implementing a plan to develop and adopt more non-animal alternatives in the UK and globally.

In the meantime, transport operators such as Air France, which is prepared to carry animals for research while ensuring high welfare standards during their journey, should not be criticised for adopting a socially responsible role in facilitating life-saving medical research.

David Willetts MP

Minister for universities and science