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A number of celebrities, policymakers, retailers and animal experts are calling on politicians to eliminate cosmetic testing on animals globally.
Prolific campaigners including Ricky Gervais and Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, have signed a letter addressed to Heads of European governments and Heads of Member State governments.
The letter has been co-ordinated by welfare charity Cruelty Free International.
Influence
According to the charity: “The letter calls for Europe to play an active role and exert its influence to eliminate cosmetic testing on animals globally.
“In the coming weeks, there will be a European Parliament vote to decide whether the EU should act to help end cosmetics testing on animals worldwide.”
The letter marks five years since the European Union banned the sale of new cosmetics tested on animals in Europe.
Cruelty Free International says: “We’re urging the EU to build on their trailblazing policy by taking a leading role in ending the suffering of animals in laboratories around the world.”
Suffering
Experts estimate that that more than half a million animals, from rabbits to mice, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters, are still used annually in worldwide cosmetics testing – creating unnecessary suffering.
Cruelty Free Interantaional says: “Despite the availability of approved non-animal testing methods and existing ingredients safe for human use, there are still no laws banning animal tests for cosmetics products and ingredients in 80 percent of the world.”
The organization hosted a special ‘Banniversary’ event earlier this week, gathering with celebrity supporters, Leaping Bunny certified companies, international press, and policymakers.
The event celebrated the five year anniversary – as well as looking at what positive action could deliver a worldwide ban on animal testing for cosmetics.
