Government To Ban Cosmetic Testing On Animals

The Government has confirmed it will ban the testing of cosmetics on animals.

The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill is set to be debated this evening, with the government bowing to pressure from Opposition parties and animal rights groups.

The decision comes after a year of lobbying from the Green Party and animal advocacy organisations to outlaw the testing of makeup and other products on rabbits and guinea pigs.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has said, "to the best of our knowledge there has never been any animal testing for cosmetics in New Zealand, but this amendment will send an important message this kind of testing is unacceptable to New Zealanders and will never happen here."

About 90 per cent of the cosmetics sold in New Zealand are imported, and animal rights activists are also seeking a ban on imports which used animal testing.

Source: NZ Herald