Our Chief Executive, Michelle Thew, says thank you for getting us to the UN and explains why together we're the ones who can make this happen
Dear Supporters,
It’s two weeks since we and our partners at The Body Shop brought our incredible 8.3 million global voices united against animal testing in cosmetics to the United Nations in New York, symbolic as the place where the world’s governments come together to chart how collectively we can all make our planet a better place.
From the bottom of my heart – and on behalf of the half a million animals who continue to suffer and die every year in tests for cosmetics – thank you all so much. It was truly humbling to sit around the conference table in the UN knowing that we had such amazing backing from you and from supporters on every continent. I and my team will not rest – October 4th was a stepping stone and a wonderful day, but our quest goes on. Cruelty Free International started the campaign for a global ban and, with you, we will finish it.
When I first started working with Cruelty Free International over twenty years ago, I dreamt of a global expression of the voices of campaigners, consumers, businesses and decision-makers that would end cosmetics animal testing everywhere and forever. You are helping us make that reality.
It took so much dedicated work to achieve the breakthrough cosmetics animal testing bans in the European Union. Those bans continue to play a pivotal role in the success of similar laws in other markets and could be the foundation for a global ban. And yes, I celebrate those bans and the work that we and all of you put in to making them happen. And yes, those bans have saved the lives of countless animals and been an impetus to the development of non-animal testing methods.
More than anyone, I know that the regulation is not perfect – what law ever is? The legislators behind the EU ban made clear that their intention was to end the use of animals in testing for cosmetics. Against advice from many quarters, they stuck with the ground-breaking decision to ultimately end testing even if no non-animal methods had at that point become available for different safety points. It is our job as campaigners for animals to make sure the law is implemented as agreed and continually improved.
At the same time, we know that there are people and organisations that believe we should be testing all chemical substances on animals, be that in the name of environmental safety, worker safety or because of vested interests and lazy science. I and Cruelty Free International never stop working to challenge and stop each and every one of these tests and especially if we feel these tests could undermine the intent of the EU Cosmetics Regulation and the unmistakeable wishes of consumers and citizens.
There has been a lot in the press recently about companies, brands and cruelty free certifications. It’s amazing that more and more consumers are following our lead and demanding cruelty free shopping. The rise in the vegan lifestyle and in awareness of the impact that our purchases can have on animals, the environment, indigenous peoples and workers is great. And I’m delighted every time a brand listens and decides to become cruelty free. Our Leaping Bunny programme is the best assurance there is that that decision is a genuine commitment to ending animal testing for its products right through its supply chain and over and above what the law requires. Approved companies must meet our rigorous criteria, including independent checks and on-going audits, before we let them display the Leaping Bunny logo.
So until we achieve that global ban, look out for the Leaping Bunny!
Thank you once again for everything that you do by signing our petitions, speaking to decision-makers and companies and choosing the Leaping Bunny. We couldn’t do this without you.
Yours,
Michelle Thew
Chief Executive