Campaigners are urging the Government to use Brexit as a chance to cut the number of laboratory experiments involving animals – currently the highest in Europe.
Politicians have vowed to maintain a ban on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals after we leave the European Union. Since 2013, it has been illegal to sell cosmetic products in the EU if they have been tested on animals.
This includes soap, shampoo, deodorant, make-up, perfumes and even toothpaste.
But in China and the US – two countries Britain hopes to strike post-Brexit trade deals with – there is no ban on using animals in cosmetics testing.
UK campaigners hope Britain will not only keep the EU ban, but that it will take more measures to protect lab animals.
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Kerry Postlewhite, of Cruelty Free International, said: “We’re calling on the Government to use Brexit as an opportunity to reduce the animals used in UK laboratories. Brexit could be a real opportunity to stop this cruel use of animals – to become world leaders in cutting-edge alternatives. Let’s not waste it.”
A poll found 74 per cent of the UK public backs alternative product testing.
In 2017, the majority of lab tests in the UK – around 1.1million – used mice. Some 308,000 procedures were on fish and 230,000 on rats. Guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, hamsters, goats, sheep and pigs were also used.
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Cats, dogs, horses and monkeys are protected and can only be used if no other species is suitable.
Despite that, 71 cats, 2,496 dogs, 228 horses and 2,215 monkeys were used in medical research, treatment development or to create or breed genetically altered animals.
The SNP ’s Dr Lisa Cameron, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group, said: “As animal lovers, the UK should lead the way to reduce testing.
“Dog experiments are both unethical and outdated. We know there are already plenty of alternatives.”
