EU Parliament backs broad ban on animal testing
Date: 12-Jun-02
Country: FRANCE
Author: Robin Pomeroy
The European assembly decided not only to back a ban on testing within the 15-nation bloc, but also to stop imports of all products tested on animals abroad.
EU governments, while in favour of halting testing on animals in the EU, oppose an import ban on all cosmetic products tested on animals outside the bloc.
Any final law has to be hammered out in negotiations between the European Parliament and national governments to try to reach a compromise.
But parliamentarians from across the political spectrum said banning testing in the EU without banning products would just export animal cruelty to other countries.
"Most people would agree that we have enough kinds of lipsticks, soaps and perfumes. We don't need to torture hundreds of thousands of animals to get these cosmetics," German Social Democrat deputy Dagmar Roth-Behrendt told the assembly.
All types of cosmetics, from hand creams to lipstick and perfumes, are tested for a wide range of unwanted side effects.
Although some tests can be done in test tubes, scientists use animals to check for dangers such as cancer, allergic reactions and damage to reproductive organs.
Animal rights campaigners say an estimated 30,000 laboratory animals are used to test new cosmetics every year in the EU and describe these tests as cruel and unnecessary.
If Parliament's version of the law is finally agreed, it could end testing within the EU from 2005 and ban products from abroad tested on animals five years after the law comes into effect, probably late 2007.
Only French deputies, concerned with the possible impact on companies like French-based L'Oreal, voted against.
INDUSTRY CONCERNED Although the ban would not affect products and ingredients already approved for use, industry argues its ability to innovate would be damaged.
Industry and governments wanted to phase out animal testing only when alternative methods were available and approved at international level. Parliament argues that without a deadline, industry would not feel the pressure to find non-animal tests.
The absence of alternatives forced the EU to delay a ban on animal testing for more than 10 years. The bloc originally agreed to the policy in the 1980s.
British Labour MEP Phillip Whitehead said the delays had to stop. "Pressure has to be put on industry to ensure alternatives are developed."
EU governments are concerned that banning products from outside the bloc on animal welfare grounds could fall foul of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. This was rejected by British Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg.
"Adopt a marketing ban as soon as possible and then deal with the WTO aspect separately in the unlikely event our laws are successfully challenged in the WTO," he told parliament.
EU Industry Commissioner Erkki Liikanen told deputies before the vote it would be better to seek the support of WTO members first for animal welfare to be considered sympathetically in trade relations, although he conceded EU efforts in this area had generated little support to date.
