The UK Government should champion a global ban on “cruel and outdated” cosmetics animal testing, an SNP MP has urged in a Westminster debate.
MP Lisa Cameron led the debate, urging the UK government to “do more to end the needless suffering of animals worldwide” by seeking an international agreement, including tabling a resolution at the UN General Assembly for a harmonised ban on cosmetics animal testing and the sale of animal-tested products.
A motion calling for the UK to table a UN resolution seeking a global ban has been sponsored by Ms Cameron and has won support from 116 MPs so far.
“The testing of cosmetics on animals is cruel and outdated,” she said.
“The UK government must do more to secure a global ban that ends the needless suffering of animals worldwide.
“It is estimated hundreds of thousands of animals are being used and abused in laboratories every year for the purposes of cosmetics testing and many die in the process.
“We all have a moral duty to challenge this inhumane and unnecessary practice.
“More than a hundred MPs have backed cross-party calls for the UK government to take the lead by tabling a resolution at the UN General Assembly, calling for a harmonised ban on cosmetics animal testing and the sale of animal-tested products.
“In Scotland, we have a strong record of championing animal welfare and around the world we have come a long way, but there is still so much more to do.”
The sale of all animal-tested cosmetics has been banned in the EU since 2013 and a ban on the testing of finished cosmetic products and ingredients has been in place in the EU since 2009.
