The BUAV welcomes the announcement made by Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone which confirms the new Coalition government's commitment to end the use of animals for household product testing and working to reduce the numbers of animals used in research. This statement was made on the same day that the Home Office announced a disappointing drop by only 1% in the number of experiments carried out on animals during in 2009. 

Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone stated:

'This government is committed to continuing with the highest standards of animal protection. We are also committed to ending the testing of household products on animals and to working to reduce the use of animals in scientific research, and work is currently underway to see how this can be achieved whilst maintaining the UK’s position as a leader in scientific advancement.'

A commitment to end household product testing on animals is a major achievement for the BUAV after years of campaigning on this issue. It also represents a significant step forward in placing animal testing firmly on the political agenda. Already we are working hard to ensure the ban is implemented as soon as possible. In September, the BUAV will once again be attending the party conferences where we will be using this as another opportunity to promote our Clean Up Cruelty campaign, to sign up as many people as possible to making their offices cruelty free and keep the pressure well and truly on. 
 
BUAV's Chief Executive, Michelle Thew states:

"We look forward to a ban on the use of animals in household product testing to be implemented in the very near future. We will also be holding the new Coalition government to its further commitment on reducing the numbers of animals used and look forward to working together to make meaningful and lasting change."
 

28th July 2010