The European Union has agreed to ban the use of animals for testing on cosmetics products.

Forum Response: RSPCA

Marlou Heinen, deputy head of RSPCA International, said: "We are very disappointed that the European Parliament was unable to maintain its position and gave into pressure of EU member states, including the UK.

"It is unacceptable that animal testing for more so-called 'new' and 'improved' cosmetic products will be allowed to continue indefinitely in these three areas which cause most animal suffering. Animal testing for cosmetics is inexcusable and unnecessary and should now have been ended once and for all."

Forum Response: British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection

Wendy Higgins, campaigns director at BUAV, told ePolitix.com: "This vote marks the end of a thirteen-year struggle by MEPs and animal campaigners like the BUAV to end cosmetics animal testing in Europe, but efforts have been hampered throughout by aggressive industry lobbying and fierce opposition by the Council of Ministers, including the UK government which has not supported an outright testing ban.

"Whilst the BUAV does of course welcome the long-awaited EU test ban, it is shocking that it has taken well over a decade for legislators to agree it, and this vote still doesn't give us a total and immediate ban on the sale of animal tested cosmetics.

"The 'get out clause' that has been provided for industry, to delay the sale ban if insufficient non-animal tests have been developed in specific areas, will keep the back door open for animal testing for some time to come. Without a water-tight sales ban, animals will continue to die outside Europe so that the products can be sold inside Europe. All that will achieve is to leave the blood on someone else's hands but the suffering will go on.

"It is utterly shameful that the cosmetics industry and many EU governments including the UK have fought so hard against an outright and immediate ban; the cosmetics industry has succeeded in sabotaging the best hope of protection lab animals had against cruel tests for products like shampoo and lipstick. It is now for all MEPs to decide whether they will accept or reject this result."