Singer-songwriter and lead singer of The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde, has given her support to the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE), a coalition of animal protection groups across the EU, with its No Cruel Cosmetics campaign to end the import and sale of animal tested cosmetics in the EU.
At an event in Brussels on 18th October, the ECEAE handed in its petition with almost a quarter of a million signatures to the European Parliament, calling for No Exceptions, No Postponement, No Cruel Cosmetics.
Chrissie Hynde, in her appeal to the EU commission stated: “It is shameful that animals continue to endure painful tests for beauty products and toiletries sold in the EU. I’m supporting the ECEAE in its campaign to rid Europe of animal tested cosmetics once and for all. I appeal to the EU Commission to ensure the full marketing ban is implemented in March 2013. I urge the people of Europe to join me by signing the petition to say No to Cruel Cosmetics in Europe!”
The petition has been signed by other celebrities, including Sir Paul McCartney and Morrissey, politicians, cosmetic companies and citizens of Europe.
The ECEAE has led the campaign across Europe to achieve an end to the use of animals to test beauty products. Following many years of high profile campaigning and lobbying it was successful in achieving an EU ban on the use of animals to test cosmetics and toiletries. However, cosmetic companies are still allowed to sell products within the EU that have been tested on animals in other parts of the world.
An import and sales ban on animal tested products in the EU is due to come into effect in 2013. However, it is now widely anticipated that there may be exemptions to the ban which will allow animals to continue to suffer and die in cruel cosmetics tests for beauty products sold in the EU. The EU Commission is due to announce its proposals in the coming weeks.
