YOU may think that animal testing for cosmetics is no longer an issue in Britain. You may also think that very few animals are subjected to these cruel and unnecessary tests nowadays.

You'd be wrong! Up to 40,000 animals die every year in Europe alone at the hands of the cosmetics industry.

Thousands more suffer in countries such as Japan and the USA. Many of the ingredients that have been tested on mice, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs are right now part of the "dazzling" new cosmetic ranges that sit on British shop shelves. We are still paying for their suffering.

In 1998, the UK ended animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients. However, this has not stopped the animal suffering involved, but simply displaced animal testing abroad. This could all change with your help.

In April, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favour of both an animal testing ban for cosmetics and a sales ban on new animal tested products throughout Europe. This is potentially great news for laboratory animals, but there is still much to do before this becomes law.

Another European Parliament will be given a second chance to vote later this year. They come under intense pressure from much of the cosmetics industry that wants to hold on to animal testing at all costs, but the Parliament does listen to public opinion.

The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) urgently needs your help to support a Europe-wide petition urging MEPs to vote for a testing and sale ban.

With your help, we can end it once and for all. Contact us today for a petition.

DELLA GREEN,

Campaigns Office BUAV,

16A Crane Grove,

London N7 8NN

Tel 020 7700 4888

E mail: info@buav.org