New Zealand to ban cosmetics testing cruelty

The government has taken a crucial step in improving the country’s animal welfare laws by announcing a ban on cosmetics testing on animals as part of the new Animal Welfare Act. The ban is a huge milestone victory for cruelty free campaigners, including NZ animal advocacy charity SAFE, which has campaigned determinedly for the past two and a half years.

“We’re delighted the government has accepted that cosmetics testing on animals is abhorrent and should not be allowed. New Zealand has now joined the global move towards an end to these cruel tests,” says SAFE head of campaigns, Mandy Carter.

The ban is the latest in a growing global cruelty-free trend, with similar test bans already in place in Norway, Israel, India, the 28 member states of the European Union and the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Legislative measures are also under discussion in Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States.

SAFE has led a high-profile campaign, including presenting a 15,500-strong petition alongside actor Michelle Langstone, running a nationwide billboard and print advertising campaign calling on PM John Key to ‘Hop To It’, co-ordinating support from 28 cosmetics companies and submitting a detailed legislative proposal to the Government.

Cosmetics animal testing can include force-feeding animals with chemicals and restraining them so that chemicals can be dripped in their eyes. Testing methods used can result in severe pain and distress.

SAFE does urge some caution, however. “This is only a ban on testing within New Zealand. That means that imported cosmetics are still potentially tested on animals abroad."

“With a ban on cosmetics testing in place, SAFE will now focus attention on achieving a ban on the import and sale of animal-tested cosmetics. The European Union already has such a ban in place and it is logical for New Zealand to follow,” says Ms Carter.

SAFE also provides New Zealand’s first free resource to help shoppers identify companies that do not test on animals, available here.

ENDS

© Scoop Media