A subcommittee convened to discuss the Fish and Wildlife Service's controversial Operation Long Tail Liberation, which aimed to investigate the illegal exportation of wild-caught long-tailed macaques from Cambodia to the United States. The meeting highlighted concerns over the alleged mislabeling of these primates as captive-bred, a practice that has raised significant ethical and regulatory questions.

Chairman of the subcommittee acknowledged the critical role of special agents within the Fish and Wildlife Service, expressing appreciation for their efforts. However, he criticized the agency's leadership for failing to adequately support these agents during the operation. The long-tailed macaque, recognized as the most traded nonhuman primate globally, is essential for medical research, particularly in drug and vaccine development. The demand for these primates has surged, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the U.S. to consider establishing a domestic supply chain for nonhuman primates to meet research needs.

The discussions during the meeting underscored the complexities surrounding wildlife trade, regulatory oversight, and the ethical implications of using primates in research, as the subcommittee seeks to address the shortcomings of the Fish and Wildlife Service in managing these critical issues.