Deputies and activists protest in Brasília against animal testing for cosmetics

Criado em 23/10/13 17h50 e atualizado em 23/10/13 17h51
Por Ana Cristina Campos Edição:s Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – Deputies from the Parliamentary Front for the Defense of Animal Rights and the Environmental Parliamentary Front joined activists in a symbolic act this Wednesday (October 23) at the Chamber of Deputies in support of the campaign “Be Cruelty-Free”, created by the Humane Society International, against animal testing for the production of cosmetics.

During the protest, deputy Ricardo Izar, coordinator at the Parliamentary Front for the Defense of Animal Rights, said that activists and representatives from the two parliamentary fronts are meeting on Wednesday with minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Marco Antonio Raupp, to request the National Council for Animal Experimentation (“CONCEA”), connected with the ministry, to make animal testing for cosmetics illegal.

According to the deputy, the episode that took place in São Roque, in the countryside of the state of São Paulo, when activists took 178 beagle dogs from the Instituto Royal, a laboratory that uses animals for research purposes, represents a landmark, as it encourages changes in animal rights. “Despite the negative side of the fact, it helped attract the attention of the House [the Chamber of Deputies]. Today, it’s on the agenda. Brazilian legislation is very backward in everything regarding animals,” Izar said.

In his view, Brazil does not need animal testing for cosmetics. “It’s an old practice. Several countries no longer use animals. Even market-wise, it’s better for Brazil. Brazilian cosmetics aren’t sold today in the European community because of animal testing,” he added.

According to Simone Lima, director-general of ProAnima, an animal protection association in the Federal District, the campaign is focusing on the cosmetics first. “It’s not about thinking that animal testing for medications or chemical products can be justified; there’s an immediate solution. There are alternative methods, which eliminate the tests. Brazil’s the third largest market for cosmetics. A prohibition in the country would make an international impact,” she explained.

Helder Constantino, head of the “Be Cruelty-Free” HSI campaign, declared that alternative methods to animal testing include the use of artificial skin, laboratory-grown human cells, and computer-based methods. “These are safe and efficient methods,” he pointed out.

The president of the Chamber, deputy Henrique Eduardo Alves, announced on Tuesday (October 22) that a commission of federal deputies has been created to investigate animal mistreatment.

Editors: Graça Adjuto / Olga Bardawil
Translator: Fabrício Ferreira