SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) – One of the world’s largest suppliers of antibodies used in research has agreed to pay a $3.5 million fine and cancel its research registration in order to settle government allegations that it mistreated goats and rabbits at its Santa Cruz, California, facility.
The settlement between Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture also revokes the company’s license to sell, buy, trade or import animals.
The settlement announced Friday requires the Dallas-based company to pay the fine and cancel its research registration by May 31.
Santa Cruz Biotechnology contested the government complaints, and the agreement says that the company “neither admits nor denies” USDA’s assertions it violated federal animal-welfare regulations.
The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.