Lush urges MPs to back end to animal testing in UK

Lush is calling for MPs to support the ban of animal testing in the UK ahead of the next general election, urging the Government to invest in human-relevant science and methodologies.

40 MPs have met with Lush spokespeople and guests at a Parliamentary reception, pledging commitments to back the brand's decades long campaign to end animal testing in the UK.

A further 20 have also requested to meet their Lush representatives in their constituencies over the coming weeks.

During the event, Lush welcomed collaborative input from Chris Packham, Will Young, Humane Society International, Animal Free Research UK, Animal Aid, Beagle Freedom Project, XCellR8, and professionals and scientists from the Lush Prize.

The groups discussed the replacement of animal testing with MPs, industry experts and businesses, as well as how to make Britain a "world leader in developing modern effective chemical safety testing".

MP Steve McCabe spoke about his discovery of how ineffective animal testing is, how wastefully expensive and how animals are not comparable to humans for effective testing.

Animal testing for cosmetics products had been banned in the UK since 1998. However, it was revealed that the UK Government "secretly" abandoned this ban in 2019 as it re-aligned the policy with less stringent EU rules.

In reaction to the Home Office’s u-turn on its ban of animal testing for ingredients within makeup in May 2023, Lush Director Karl Bygrave was not surprised, saying "as long as animal testing exists it will continue to creep its way back into cosmetics. So it’s my opinion that a wider ban is needed".

With a general election coming up next year, Lush is encouraging MPs to ensure this issue is in their manifestos and make a "clear commitment to their constituents that they will work towards finally ending animal testing by funding better science and enacting stronger legislation".

It comes as fellow British beauty brand The Body Shop launches a new campaign with Cruelty Free International to once again call for an outright ban on animal testing for cosmetics.

The campaign is supported by TV personality Lucy Watson, Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Divina de Campo, and influencer Demi Colleen to drive awareness of the legal loophole through a range of content, including by going ‘bare faced for cruelty free beauty’.

The brand has also revived its vintage 'Against Animal Testing' t-shirts from 1998, which can be purchased online and in selected stores.