Article on Europe animal testing ban

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http://europe.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/11/07/eu.cosmetics/index.html

 

Animal rights slam EU testing ban

By CNN's Avril Stephens

Thursday, November 7, 2002 Posted: 1934 GMT

 

BRUSSELS, Belgium (CNN) -- Animal rights groups have condemned the

timetable set by European politicians to end the use of animals for

cosmetics testing.

 

The European parliament agreed with EU member states earlier on

Thursday to ban the use of animals for cosmetics testing by 2009.

 

The agreement also includes a ban on the import and marketing of

cosmetic products that have used animal experiments in their

manufacture.

 

But the RSPCA branded the deal as being " more bad than good, " while

an international animal rights' group said it " did not go far

enough. "

 

The agreement sets out a ban on testing animals for cosmetic purposes

to come in force in seven years time, giving the industry time to

find safe alternative tests, with an extension until 2013 for

particularly difficult tests.

 

The directive, which has yet to be formally rubber-stamped by the

European Parliament and the 15 member states, was described by the

parliament as being " well balanced and a fair compromise. "

 

But animal welfare groups criticised the length of time given before

the ban kicks in -- especially for three of the 14 tests which

measure toxicity, effects on the reproductive systems and the spread

of toxins.

 

Marlou Heinen, deputy head of the Royal Society for the Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) International, said: " The problem is that

these are the most painful tests that the animals have to endure.

 

" We are very disappointed that the European Parliament was unable to

maintain its position and gave into pressure of EU member states,

including the UK.

 

" Animal testing for cosmetics is inexcusable and unnecessary and

should now have been ended once and for all. "

 

RSPCA: 38,000 animals tested in EU

The RSPCA said about 38,000 animals continue to be used in the

European Union in experiments to develop and test new cosmetic

ingredients and products every year.

 

After the tests, the animals -- rabbits, rats, mice and guinea pigs --

are routinely killed.

 

Sean Gifford, spokesman for U.S.-based People for the Ethical

Treatment of Animlas (Peta), believed to be the world's largest

animal rights group, told CNN: " This is a step in the right

direction, but the EU had not gone far enough.

 

" What is really needed is an immediate ban on the sale of all

cosmetic goods that use animal experiments in their production.

 

" This ban is not even set to come in until 2009, yet hundreds of

cosmetic companies all around the world already use alternative,

humane and effective tests -- it's about time the European Union came

on board. "

 

Brian Gunn, Secretary-General of the International Association

Against Painful Experiments, said his group had been campaigning for

30 years for a ban, " now we are talking about another 10 years,

plus. "

 

He told CNN the cosmetics industry already has enough products on the

market for which tests have been carried out.

 

Gunn also said he was concerned that the industry would be able to

circumvent any European ban on manufacture by moving to other parts

of the world.

 

Only the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands have imposed bans on

cosmetic animal testing, but products from other countries are still

sold. Most testing is done in France and Italy.

 

Many cosmetics, from hand creams to lipsticks and perfumes, are

tested for a wide range of side effects.

 

Some tests can be done in test tubes, but scientists often use

animals to check for dangers such as cancer or allergic reaction.

 

The Danish EU presidency said in a statement: " The ban on animal

testing will... put an end to the use of animals in the testing of

cosmetic products, but without jeopardising consumer safety. "

 

Danish Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt was quoted by

Reuters as saying: " The ban on testing of cosmetic products on

animals within the EU is in itself a great win for animal welfare.

 

" But to prevent the import into the community of products that are

tested in third countries, it was also very important that agreement

was reached on the ban on marketing. "

 

It is believed the deal will not compromise World Trade Organisation

rules on trade barriers.

 

The European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said the

industry had already spent more than 500 million euros (about $500

million) in the development, promotion, and use of alternative

testing methods.

 

A spokesman added " significant progress has been made " in the " long

and complex process in which industry is continuing its investment

and ultimately research alternatives. "

 

But it has " serious reservations regarding the proposed timing for

the development and validation of all of the alternative methods

needed to totally eliminate animal testing. "