13 August 2008

171 MPs sign the BUAV's EDM on household products testing

As MPs went off on their summer holidays, a remarkable 171 had signed up to EDM 1215 - the BUAV's parliamentary petition that demands a ban on tests for household products and their ingredients.

Politicians from all parties have signed up to the EDM. Signatories include party leaders and prominent figures such as Diane Abbott (Labour) and Oliver Letwin (Conservative). Some other notable signatories are:

• Labour: Frank Field, Michael Meacher, Keith Vaz, Ian McCartney
• Conservative: Ann Widdecombe, Andrew Rosindell
• Liberal Democrat: Charles Kennedy, Sir Menzies Campbell, Vince Cable
• Scottish National Party: Alex Salmond
• Plaid Cymru: Elfyn Llwyd

Recognising public support for the ban, Diane Abbott MP says: "it's inexcusable that animals can still be used to test things like floor cleaner or washing-up liquid. I was proud when the Government banned cosmetics tests on animals ten years ago, and it's now time to do the same for household products".

The Conservative Chairman of the Policy Review and Conservative Research Department, Oliver Letwin MP, says: "difficult issues are raised by the testing of medicines on animals. But I really do not believe that there is any way we can justify testing non-medical products on sentient beings."

EDM 1215 was tabled by David Drew MP and is still available for MPs to sign up to. To find out if your MP has signed up and take action if they haven't, please click here.