A bill introduced in the Australian Senate proposes an amendment that would prohibit imports of live non-human primates for research purposes (see Nature http://doi.org/bcqx; 2016). We call for the Senate to reject this bill in support of ethically conducted research and preserving the animals' long-term health, for which exchange between international breeding facilities is crucial.

The bill was referred for enquiry to the Senate Legislation Committee for Environment and Communications, which sought public submissions in late 2015 (see go.nature.com/mjahre). Three days before the first public hearing on 5 February, only 2 out of 56 submissions argued against the amendment.

At that point, we contacted the Australian scientific community — heads of research institutes and those working with non-human primates — and discovered that they were largely unaware of the proposed legislation.

A flurry of written submissions and last-minute personal representations to members of the Senate followed, all calling for rejection of the bill. The international community took up the issue, with many scientific societies and research institutes reacting within 48 hours (see go.nature.com/oihuxp).

The Senate committee accepted many submissions after the closing date and is due to submit its report early this month. The episode demonstrates the alacrity with which scientists, typically a reticent group, are prepared to engage with the political process when the issue is perceived as important for the advancement of science.