A NEW chemical testing directive by the European Commission could cost the lives of 10 million animals and allow dangerous chemicals to be released into the environment.

Consumers associations, animal welfare groups and the general public would agree there is a need to properly identify chemicals that pose a threat to the environment or human health.

Animal toxicity testing is cruel and cannot be relied on to give an accurate indication of how humans will react.

Instead of re-testing thousands of chemicals that have been in use for more than 20 years, the European Commission should be working to prohibit those that are already known to be toxic.

SHEILA BRENNAN (Mrs), Bombay Street, Blackburn.