I just read an interesting article that states that Israel has passed a law outlawing all animal testing within Israel for cosmetic and cleaning products. Isn’t that fantastic? The law will go into effect immediately. MK Gideon Sa’ar, a political representative in Israel, proposed the law, saying that “This is an important law that reflects how our society is changing its regard for animal rights.” Unfortunately, while this will save the lives of 2,00-3,000 rats, mice, and rabbits (cats? dogs? ferrets? who knows?), numerous animals will still be used within Israel in tests for health/medical industry products. Though at least these animals are (I hope) at least being tortured and/or killed to save human lives.

Also according to the article, Gideon Sa’ar proposed the bill at the urging of his 16-year-old daughter Daniella, who convinced him that this was a bill that needed to be passed, because the “new generation wants a more humane society.” So, Gideon and Daneilla Sa’ar — you’re wonderful people! Thank you so very, very much! I can only hope that one day, the U.S. will pass this sort of legislation.

Anat Refua, the director of Let the Animals Live, a pro-animal welfare group in Israel, is quoted as saying that she thinks this will keep Israel from becoming the “backyard of cosmetic companies wanting to test their products.” The article suggests that this will keep Israel’s policies on animal testing in line with the EU’s policies on animal testing — the EU has already started a process of banning animal testing that will go into effect in 2013.

Unfortunately, while this is a fantastic event, it is not enough. Cosmetics companies that base their animal testing facilities within Israel will just move their animal testing from Israel to the Philippines and Vietnam, where animal testing for cosmetics and cleaning products will still be legal, and turn around and sell their products back to Israel. Luckily, Gideon Sa’ar has also sworn to advance a second bill that will ban the importation of products tested on animals. He already tried to pass that bill once, but it was defeated by one vote. I really hope this bill goes through — it will encourage companies not to outsource their animal testing, but instead to create new, more humane toxicology testing procedures that do not use animals, otherwise they will not be able to sell any products to people living in Israel. If they want to profit from the Israel market, they will have to not use animal testing. It will also set an example to the rest of the world.

Oddly enough, the article suggests that the U.S. has policies banning animal testing. This is news to me — I’ve heard nothing of the U.S. banning animal testing, and I’ve searched google news and the API for a few hours now. Maybe I’m just out of the loop though? Maybe the U.S. already bans animal testing for cosmetics and cleaning products within U.S. borders, and that’s why so many are outsourcing their animal testing to places like Israel? I shall go read lots of fine print on animal testing. Honestly, I’d be thrilled to learn that that is the case, that the U.S. does ban animal testing (though of course, it’s a half-measure, since companies just outsource their animal testing to other countries). But . . . I really doubt that’s the case.

In the meantime, as Anat Refua pointed out, it is important for people living in Israel (and elsewhere!) to “vote with their dollar and check to make sure the products they purchase are not tested on animals.” Not only will this support companies that do not torture animals, it will encourage the innovation of non-animal-using toxicology methods.

Categories : against animal testing, cruelty free