Today we awarded Parliamentarians of the Month for May to the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Animal Welfare for their work securing a vote in the European Parliament for a global ban on cosmetics animal testing. The award was presented to the Intergroup’s Vice President MEP Jacqueline Foster in Strasbourg this morning.

The successful European Parliament vote was backed by us and supported by an overwhelming majority of 620 MEPs. It will guide EU governments and the European Council to help bring about an end to animal testing in cosmetics globally through the United Nations. Despite more reliable, cheaper and quicker non-animal alternatives being available, there are still no laws banning animal tests for cosmetics products and ingredients in 80% of the world.

Jacqueline Foster MEP said: “That this outdated, cruel and unnecessary practice still happens is an outrage in 2018. We need to end it everywhere and forever. With the range of cosmetic options and non-animal testing methods available, there is no reason for animals to suffer for our beauty anywhere in the world. The ban works in Europe and it can work globally too. The parliament’s vote is a great step in the right direction.  It’s time to work together to deliver a global end to cosmetics animal testing and eliminate animal suffering around the world.”

In 2017 we launched a joint campaign alongside The Body Shop calling for an global ban on animal testing in cosmetic products and ingredients. The campaign will deliver a petition – with a target of 8 million signatures – to the United Nations, to support the bid for an international agreement that bans cosmetics animal testing. Thanks to your fantastic support the global petition has now been signed by over 6.5 million people.

Still haven’t signed? You can help save animals from suffering and dying in unnecessary cosmetics experiments by adding your name to the petition here.