Paul McCartney, in a letter to the governor of Arizona, says he doesn’t want drug developer Covance Inc. to open an animal testing lab in the state where he owns a ranch.
Covance submitted plans in October to build a 400,000-square-foot facility on a 38-acre parcel for clinical animal testing in Chandler, Ariz. The company says the testing is mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for new drugs.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), however, claims that an undercover video filmed last year shows abuse of monkeys in Covance’s Vienna, Va., laboratory. That video is posted online at http://www.CovanceCruelty.com.
“Arizona has a special place in my heart,” McCartney writes in the letter to Gov. Janet Napolitano. He explains that his Arizona ranch is where his wife Linda spent her last days before she died of breast cancer in 1998.
“It is for her and all of us who want to protect animals from harm that I am writing to ask you not to let Covance, an animal testing laboratory, set up shop in Chandler,” the former Beatle writes in a letter dated March 3.
Laurene Isip, a spokeswoman for Covance, responded to McCartney’s letter with a statement sent to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
“It is unfortunate that PETA is using Mr. McCartney to spread their false allegations against our company. Covance conducts government required medical research to find medicines for diseases like breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and many others.”
Jeanine L’Ecuyer, a spokeswoman for Gov. Napolitano, said the letter was received, but it was a matter for the city of Chandler. She added, “it’s a situation that the governor’s office will continue to monitor.”
Barry Broome, president of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, said in October the council was “really excited” about Covance coming to Arizona.
But resident Kathy Urrea said, “As much as I love this community and am happy to be in Arizona, I do have to say if Covance does move to Chandler, I will consider leaving Chandler.”