Gervais’ signature has appeared among those of 100 celebrities, policymakers, retailers, scientists and animal experts in a letter addressed to European leaders and Heads of Member State governments, calling on the EU to exert its influence in pushing for a global end to cosmetics animal testing.
Animal testing ‘banniversary’
The call comes on what has been dubbed the EU’s animal testing ‘banniversary’, five years on from when the ‘marketing ban’ outlawed the sale in Europe of new cosmetics tested on animals anywhere in the world.
The move in 2013 followed EU bans on the testing of cosmetics products on animals in 2003 and ingredients in 2009.
Commenting on the new letter, Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said: “Five years after the full EU testing and marketing bans came into force, the time is right to go one step further.
“Now it’s time to work together to deliver a global end to cosmetics animal testing and eliminate cruel animal suffering around the world. We are calling for the European Union to use its influence to push for this.”
“Enough is enough” says Body Shop
Jessie Macneil-Brown, Head of Global Campaigns at The Body Shop and one of the letter’s signatories, said: "The Body Shop is proud of the part we have played in changing animal testing laws and our campaign with Cruelty Free International for a UN global ban.
“Enough is enough – we urge the EU to step up and help achieve a global ban to end this once and for all."
The letter is the latest in a series of joint initiatives between Cruelty Free International and The Body Shop. In 2017, the pair launched a campaign which saw eight million people sign a petition calling on the UN to introduce an international convention to end animal testing.
EU vote to take place in March
While the EU ban on animal testing has been in place for five years, other areas of the world remain without similar legislation. In China, animal testing for beauty products is still required by law.
A European Parliament vote to decide whether the EU should take action to end cosmetics testing on animals worldwide is expected to take place within the coming weeks.