Primates needed for Zika vaccine: inquiry

A researcher has told a Senate inquiry about his concerns for a Greens legislation banning imports of primates for research.

Banning imports of monkeys for research could hinder Australia's development of a vaccine for the Zika virus, a Senate inquiry has been told.

Associate professor James Bourne is concerned about an Australian Greens bill which would make it illegal to import primates for testing, saying it could have enormous impacts on research.

Zika was first identified in the rhesus macaque in 1947 - and the rapid response required for the development of a vaccine will likely involve the primate, he told senators in Canberra on Friday.