New Zealand to March Against Animal Testing on Party Pills

On Tuesday 30th July at 12 noon New Zealanders by the thousands are expected to down tools and congregate at meeting points around New Zealand, to show the Government that they object to its decision to allow the testing of legal highs on animals.

Last week Mojo Mather’s proposed amendment to the Psychoactive Substances Bill was rejected by the National Party in what National MP Scott Simpson described as a political move.

Submissions passed to Government by well-informed organisations and scientists provided detailed proof that animal testing was not necessary, but were rejected as being out of the scope of the bill. Also ignored was more than 64,000 signatures collected by groups lobbying against Animal Testing on Party Pills and polls showing the majority of New Zealanders did not want Party Pills, or Animals to be tested on them.

Mr Simpson who also sits on the Health Select Committee, who admitted to not reading the list of credible animal testing alternatives until concerned members of the public handed it to him just hours before the vote, said that Mojo’s Amendment was never going to pass. The Health Select Committee took the advice of an Expert Advisory Committee made up of five professionals that all “signed off” that some animal testing would be necessary.

Animal Welfare Organisation HUHA (Helping You Help Animals) Charitable Trust have called upon New Zealanders to stand up and be heard.

“The petitions, the scientific proof and the polls have all indicated that the Government has not been listening to New Zealander’s. They have their own agenda, both animals and people will suffer as a result” Says HUHA Founder Carolyn Press-McKenzie.

“The scientific evidence shows clearly that this is not a choice between the safety of people versus the safety of animals. Testing on animals does not give a direct indication of how a compound will react in people, as just one example look at Theobromine a compound found in cocoa, it is deadly toxic to dogs in small amounts, and yet can be eaten in abundance with no ill effect to people. Recent studies have proven that non animal testing in the lab can give a more species specific result. It can in fact be safer.’

The organised Rallies are synchronised to kick off around New Zealand at 12noon on Tues 30th July, the next date that Parliament will be sitting, giving New Zealanders a chance to be heard in volume. With the main event in Wellington being a march to the Steps of Parliament where concerned New Zealanders will hand over more documentation supporting the argument that Animal Testing on Party Pills is not necessary.

“Government say that the Expert Committee will be the “watchdog” and only allow tests on animals where no other alternative is available. Frankly we don’t trust their judgement – and as such we will be watchdogging them. The Government is hiding behind ‘old school’ advice, it needs to move in to the 21 century and start making decisions that New Zealanders can trust and be proud of – the world is watching our every move on this matter and the National Party is letting us down. This is a very real election issue and New Zealanders won’t forget”.

If you would like to take part in the march to say NO to Animal Testing on Party Pills in your town please find details on facebook:HUHANZ or email contact.huha@gmail.com

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