Debasree Roy Says India Must Embrace Modern Science to End Cosmetics Animal Testing

Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Thursday, January 24, 2013 — (Business Wire India) — Veteran actress and MLA Debasree Roy spoke out against cosmetics animal testing at a press conference jointly hosted by the Animal Welfare Board of India, Humane Society International/India and the Debasree Roy Foundation. Roy, accompanied by a supporter costumed like a giant white rabbit to symbolise the thousands of animals suffering for cosmetics testing, urged the Government not to delay on ridding India of animal-tested cosmetics. Roy called on the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, and the Drug Controller General of India, Dr. G.N. Singh, to take decisive action and to work with HSI’s Be Cruelty-Free campaign coalition on introducing a ban.

“Why is the Government of India still lagging in making a decision that is so simple?” asked Roy. “Animal testing bans across the European Union and Israel prove that cosmetics animal suffering is completely unnecessary. India must embrace the modern non-animal technologies available that offer more reliable test results than researching on rabbits and mice. The Debasree Roy Foundation fully supports the Animal Welfare Board of India and Humane Society International/India in their efforts to make India the next country in the world to end beauty with cruelty, and I urge our policymakers to work together with our Be Cruelty-Free campaign to put India on the cruelty-free cosmetics map.”

Roy also asked the citizens of India to play an active role as compassionate consumers by making ethical choices when buying cosmetics. She added: “Look for the ‘Leaping Bunny Logo’ at the back of the product. Do not let gentle animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs and mice suffer for the sake of our vanity. Make your voice heard by signing a Be Cruelty-Free pledge or by giving a missed call to 080-4931-1223 today.”

HSI India’s Be Cruelty-Free campaign is part of the largest-ever global effort to end animal testing for cosmetics. Speaking on behalf of HSI India, Be Cruelty-Free campaign manager Alokparna Sengupta unveiled a thought-provoking new video about the scientific shift from animal testing towards 21st century non-animal research methods for safety testing of pharmaceuticals and chemicals, including cosmetics.

“Humane Society International/India is grateful to Debasree Roy,” said Sengupta. “Such influential personalities coming forward and showing their support will help put an end to the thousands of helpless animals suffering unethical and unnecessary cosmetics testing in India’s laboratories. Producing cruelty-free cosmetics using modern test methods and established ingredients is simple, as demonstrated by global brands such as Lush and The Body Shop. We are confident that with Ms. Roy’s passion and support, we will move closer to a favourable conclusion very soon.”

To show your support for an end to animal testing for cosmetics in India and around the world, sign a Be Cruelty-Free pledge today or just give a missed call to 080-4931-1223.

Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory body of Government of India constituted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960. At present, the AWBI is working under the aegis of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Humane Society International/India and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world’s largest animal protection organizations. For more than 20 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide – on the Web at hsi.org.

HSI’s End Animal Testing video is the disc attached.

CONTACT DETAILS
Alokparna Sengupta, Humane Society International, +91 9849094113, asengupta@hsi.org