After a successful campaign to eliminate cosmetics testing on animals, PETA India is now pushing for the abolishment of animal testing for household products as well.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia. PETA India, its Indian arm, has called for a complete ban on testing of household products like detergents, floor cleaners on animals in the country and instead bring into use alternative non-animal testing methods.
“Our campaign to ban household product tests on animals has received support from many politicians, we hope soon animal testing on the household products like detergents, floor cleaners will be banned,” PETA said in a statement.
Also extending support for a ban on household product tests on animals, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) said, “A committee from the chemical division of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has suggested replacing a test on guinea pigs, used to determine the skin sensitization potential of chemicals, with a non-animal testing method called the human repeat insult patch test. It also proposed that the manufacturers to submit safety data using non-animal testing methods.”
“Animal tests are cruel and unreliable. Non-animal testing methods are modern, humane and relevant to humans”, Dr. Chaitanya Koduri PETA India Science Policy Adviser said. “This compliance with international standards will also improve trade avenues for the country and save animals’ lives. PETA is now also urging the government to implement a ban on the sale and marketing of cosmetics and household products if they have been tested on animals outside India.”
Appeals sent to politicians and advocacy groups
PETA India activists are working closely to push for a complete ban in the country. PETA have sent appeals to the Ministers of Health and Family Welfare or Consumers Affairs by the offices of Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi; senior BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani; Santosh Chowdhury, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; Kodikunnil Suresh, Minister of State for Labour and Employment; Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries; Abhijit Mukherjee, Member of Parliament; Dr Mirza Mehboob, former Cabinet Minister of Health, Medical Education.
