Government Breaks Animal Testing Promise
In an all too familiar manoeuver, the Government has yet again broken a promise it made to end the practice of testing household products on animals.
Rabbits, hamsters, rats and mice have traditionally been injected, gassed, force-fed and killed to test the ingredients that go into everyday household products such as washing up liquid, air fresheners and dishwasher tablets.
After 5 years of Government statements and delays, the promised ban on animal testing for cleaning products was finally announced on 12th March 2015 – yet is sadly a wasted opportunity to make a real difference for animals.
The Government is falsely claiming to have banned the use of animals to test household products. Yet this so-called ‘ban’ does nothing of the sort because it includes a major loophole which will still allow animal tests for ingredients for ‘regulatory purposes’.
The loophole? Virtually all animal tests for household products ingredients are done for regulatory purposes!
Cruelty Free International was established in London by the BUAV, (one of the world’s longest standing and most respected animal protection organizations) and they campaign globally, calling on governments and regulators around the world to introduce a ban on the testing of animals for household products and their ingredients.
After learning of the Governments u-turn, Carla Owen, head of campaigns at Cruelty Free International said, ‘Because of this Government broken promise, animals will continue to be force-fed high doses of chemicals or have a chemical rubbed into their shaved backs. They will continue to experience vomiting, seizures, internal bleeding and organ damage. And even if the test is not fatal, they will most likely be killed anyway. And all to develop household products such as laundry detergent, furniture polish and bathroom cleaners.’
There are many ethical alternatives that can be used instead of cruel animal tests, and companies can use existing combinations of safe ingredients and, where new combinations are created, there are approved modern and humane techniques which can be cheaper, safer and more effective. There is simply no justifiable reason to continue this barbaric practice.
At Quinessence, we made a commitment against animal testing over 20 years ago when we joined the BUAV, and we remain just as committed today by continuing to uphold their rigorous standards.
Cruelty Free International has stated that they won’t give up. They intend to keep urging the Government to take decisive action to ban cruel animal testing for cleaning products once and for all. And with the General Election fast approaching, compassionate people like our readers have a golden opportunity to use their votes for protecting animals.
Please help put an end to this insanity and Vote Cruelty Free today. If we all work together, we can make sure the next Government makes a real difference to the welfare of defenseless animals.
Copyright © Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd 2015. Written by Sue Charles
