COSMETIC testing on animals has increased substantially. According to government figures, there were almost three million experiments on living animals last year.

Most people believe cosmetics and toiletries are no longer tested on animals. The Government's statistics prove this a myth. Last year, saw a massive 44 per cent increase in experiments using both ingredients and, more shockingly, the finished product itself.

The failure of the European Union to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics and toiletries means the BUAV's new campaign 'Cosmetic Testng: It's In Your Hands' needs your support more urgently than ever.

Consumers can now choose from the 99 cosmetic companies the BUAV approves as truly 'cruelty free.'

We believe the cruelty revealed by these statistics is unacceptable and the laws that allegedly protect these animals are failing them.

If the waste and suffering animal testing causes upsets you, there are ways to help. Contact BUAV for more information, and write to your MPs, MEPs, and companies. Public opinion does make a difference.

MIKE BAKER, Chief Executive, British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, 16a Crane Grove, London N7 8LB.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.