Animal Groups Take 90,000 Signatures to Parliament Calling for Cosmetics Animal Testing Ban

WELLINGTON (23 March 2015) — Iinternational model Anna-Lisa Christiane, joined with animal campaigners at Parliament today to present more than 90,000 signatures calling for a ban on animal testing for cosmetics. Politicians are due to vote on an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act proposed by Green MP Mojo Mathers, that would make it illegal in New Zealand to test cosmetics such as mascara and shampoo on live animals. Campaigners from #BeCrueltyFree New Zealand, SAFE and ActionStation want New Zealand to be the first country in Australasia to follow the lead of the European Union and India by banning cosmetics cruelty.

Model Anna-Lisa and Miss Universe NZ Rachel Millns, said: "True beauty has to be more than skin deep, and that means saying no to abusing animals. Kiwis say no to cosmetics cruelty, and so do we.”

A ban on cosmetics animal testing has consumer and industry backing - opinion polls show that 89.2 percent of Kiwis want a cosmetics animal testing ban, and New Zealand’s Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association has welcomed the idea. But the Government has resisted, claiming such testing is not currently taking place.

Stephen Manson of NZAVS for #BeCrueltyFree New Zealand, said: “There is overwhelming public support for the government to make it illegal in New Zealand to test cosmetics on animals, so we’re delivering these signatures to show Parliament that Kiwis want a ban. Without a ban it remains legal for animals to have chemicals dripped in their eyes, spread on their skin, or force fed to them in massive doses to test cosmetics. That’s unacceptable.”

Shanti Ahluwalia, campaign officer for SAFE said: “The truth is, the Government’s claim that cosmetics animal testing doesn’t take place in NZ, simply can’t be verified. There is also a real risk that without a prohibition, New Zealand leaves itself open to foreign companies requesting cosmetics animal testing in the future as the number of countries banning the practice increases globally. New Zealand must ban cosmetics testing on animals – and urgently.”

Laura O'Connell-Rapira, Campaign Director at ActionStation said: “This petition demonstrates that a large number of Kiwis with progressive values want our politicians to take action on behalf of animals. The EU, Israel and India have all banned cosmetics cruelty, and now it’s New Zealand’s chance to do the same.”

ENDS

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