WITH reference to the European Union's proposals to use animals for the testing of chemicals for safety, George Cowley says that as the chemicals have mostly been around for years, and have a track record for safety (Letters, Friday, January 21) then the 12.8 million animals needed to test them will suffer no lasting harm.

I have to point out that there is a big difference between the everyday usage of these chemical substances, and subjecting animals to them at increasing levels until they show signs of toxicity.

RICHARD CHAMINGS,

UK Independence Party,

Castlemorton Common.