Even though the practice of testing cosmetics on animals has been banned in New Zealand, we continue to allow the import of products that use these methods, even though such procedures are both cruel and unnecessary. By allowing these products to be sold in our country, we are effectively supporting the animal testing of cosmetics.

In 2003 the European Parliament and the 15 member states of the EU passed “The 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive” effectively banning the use of animals in cosmetic testing throughout Europe and the import of any cosmetics being tested on animals – regardless of their country of origin. The EU 2013 deadline for a complete ban on testing cosmetics on animals has happened! The ultimate aim is to replace all animals used in testing cosmetics with alternatives that are already available.

With your help, New Zealand will join the growing list of countries that stop supporting the practice of torturing animals for cosmetics.

I call on the New Zealand government to immediately introduce comprehensive legislation to ensure there is a total ban on the importation and sale of cosmetics tested on animals.