I have recently received lots of emails about cosmetic testing on animals. I am appalled and completely against the awful practice.
This Government recognises the public concern around testing on animals. I am glad that the Government has promised that NO new licences will be granted for animal testing of ingredients exclusively intended to be used in cosmetics products. Alongside this, the Government is taking action to seek alternatives to animal testing for worker and environmental safety of chemicals.
Currently there is a great deal of misinformation circulating that the Government have reinstated animal testing for cosmetic use. This is absolutely false, and during the Retained EU Law debate all parties agreed the need to uphold animal welfare. I understand that the Government has said that there has been no change to, and there is no plan to change, any of the legislation related to previous EU regulatory testing using animals in the UK. This includes and is not limited to the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Act (2013), UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Registration of Chemicals), and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act.
I am a Patron of the Animal Welfare Association and as an animal lover myself, I am deeply disturbed by any companies that harm animals in developing cosmetics. I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to upholding our world-leading animal welfare standards and to delivering a series of ambitious reforms, as outlined in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. While I have seen research that animal testing for diseases and illness can be at a last resort necessary, I am personally completely against the practice of using animals for any type of testing for use in cosmetics.
I am grateful that my constituents are so conscious of protecting the welfare of animals from exploitative companies use.
Anna
