Time to stop testing of cosmetics on animals – Rochdale MEP

A Rochdale Euro-MP is insisting that all use of animals for testing cosmetic products must end within two years.

EU legislation to ban animal testing was approved in 2003. It set deadlines for the phasing out of the practice.

Most substances used in cosmetic products like sun creams, deodorants and toothpaste now gain approval without the use of animals, but manufacturers claim that some requirements can not be met by the final 2013 deadline.

Rochdale Liberal Democrat Chris Davies MEP helped to negotiate the original legislation. He says that there should be no relaxation of the ban.

"I accept that there are difficulties, but since we introduced the EU law great progress has been made and many non-animal tests have been developed.

"We made a pledge to end the suffering of animals used to make products intended mostly to flatter human vanity. There is no good reason why that pledge can not be kept."

Mr Davies this week organised a meeting with European Commission officials and industry experts to discuss how to make progress.

Simon Duffy, Founder of Bulldog Natural Skincare and a speaker at the event, said: “As a leading natural skincare company, which has always been highly committed to not testing its products or ingredients on animals, we call on the EU to honour its commitment to introduce a full ban in 2013.”