MPs back campaign to end animal-tested cosmetics

More than 100 MPs have backed a campaign to end the sale of cosmetics developed with the help of animal experiments.

Animal testing of cosmetics is outlawed in the UK and EU, but continues outside Europe.

Many UK consumers unwittingly buy items that contain ingredients tested on animals.

An EU-wide ban on the sale of such products is due to come into force in 2013, but there is mounting concern that the deadline might be moved back as much as ten years.

The issue is said to be over a lack of adequate alternative methods of testing cosmetics chemicals.

Both the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) have urged the European Commission not to bow to industry pressure.

BUAV chief executive Michelle Thew said: "We are delighted that so many MPs have signed the EDM to end cruel tests on animals for beauty products sold in the EU. Testing on animals is cruel and unnecessary."