§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons the UK voted in favour of a postponement of an EU marketing ban on cosmetics tested on animals on 5 May. [124052]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Government are very serious about animal welfare, and already have a voluntary ban on testing on animals of cosmetic products and cosmetic ingredients. However, Government policy is to ensure not only a strong commitment to animal welfare but that our regulatory framework is in full compliance with our WTO obligations. Internal advice has confirmed the European Commission's assessment that a marketing ban would risk challenge under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. In addition, there were concerns that the 6th Amendment would be legally and practically unenforceable.
A 7th Amendment to the cosmetics directive has recently been transmitted to the Council and European Parliament by the European Commission. This Amendment aims to introduce a ban on animal testing in the EU rather than a marketing ban and is WTO compatible. The two-year deferment of the entry into force of the 6th Amendment should allow sufficient time to enable the 7th Amendment to be adopted. I believe that the 7th Amendment will offer a better level of animal welfare in the EU as a marketing ban would have offered as it will introduce a total ban in the EU on animal testing (in relation to cosmetic products and the ingredients contained therein).
On 5 May EU member states voted unanimously (one member state abstained) in favour of deferring the entry into force of the 6th Amendment of the cosmetics directive.