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89% want cosmetic testing on animals banned

12 Nov 13

Credit: Safe

89% want cosmetic testing on animals banned

Strong cross-party voter support for animal testing ban

89% of adult New Zealanders do not support testing cosmetics on animals.

And 89.2% support banning the practice in this country.

A HorizonPoll of 2,826 adults nationwide in October finds solid support among the voters for all major parties for following the lead of the European Union, India and Israel for a testing ban.

Some 86.1% of those who voted for the National Party at the 2011 general election support a ban, along with 93.1% of Labour’s voters, 95.6% of the Green’s, 98% of the Maori Party’s and 62.4% of Act’s. (See results for all voters below).

The Animal Welfare Act is now being reviewed.

The Save Animals from Experiments organisation (SAFE) says the poll results reflect just how strong public opinion is surrounding cosmetic testing on animals.

SAFE campaign manager Mandy Carter says:

“It’s clear that a huge majority of Kiwis want to see a ban on cosmetic testing on animals enshrined in law. With the Animal Welfare Act under review right now we believe it is the perfect time for politicians to take action and listen to the people”.

In New Zealand, animal testing for cosmetics is not explicitly required by law, but neither is it banned. SAFE wants to ensure that no rabbit, guinea pig or other animal is subjected to distressing and painful testing for the sake of beauty products by getting a ban on cosmetic testing in the Animal Welfare Act.

The poll also comes with a stark warning for cosmetics companies. Of people who buy cosmetics, over 34% say they already don’t buy cosmetics tested on animals. A further 53% say they would not buy a product if they knew it was tested on animals.

At a 95% confidence level, the weighted survey has a maximum margin of error of +/- 1.8%.

Results are:

Which of these points of view is closest to your own when talking about testing cosmetics on animals?

Companies should be free to develop and test new ingredients even if this means that pain and suffering may be caused to animals in the process.

4.6%

This practice can cause pain and suffering to animals and it is not worth causing this kind of suffering just for the sake of cosmetics, especially when there are already thousands of safe ingredients

89%

Something else (please tell us what that is)

6.4%

The European Union, India and Israel have banned the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals

How supportive would you be of a ban on testing in New Zealand?

Very supportive

69.9%

Somewhat supportive

19.3%

Neither supportive nor opposed

6.5%

Somewhat opposed

2.4%

Very opposed

0.9%

Not sure

0.9%

Which of the following apply to you?

I don't buy cosmetics

47.4%

I buy cosmetics and don't buy ones which have been tested on animals

17.3%

I buy cosmetics and if I knew they were tested on animals I would not buy them

29.4%

I buy cosmetics but I don't worry about whether they are tested on animals or not

5.9%

The European Union, India and Israel have banned the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals. How supportive would you be of a ban on testing in New Zealand?
	Total	Very supportive	Supportive	Neutral	Somewhat opposed	Very opposed	Not sure

ALL	2856	69.9%	19.3%	6.5%	2.4%	0.9%	0.9%

PARTY VOTE 2011
ACT New Zealand	0.7%	25.9%	36.5%	5.5%	18.1%	14%
Chose not to vote	14.8%	65.4%	22.9%	9.5%	1.7%		0.5%
Conservative	1.8%	61.5%	25%	6.3%	1.9%	5.3%
Don't know or can't remember	10.1%	68%	17.9%	8%	2.1%		3.9%
Green Party	7.5%	82.1%	13.8%	1.6%	0.4%	0.1%	2.1%
Labour Party	18.7%	78.2%	15.1%	4.9%	0.8%	0.8%	0.2%
Mana Party	0.6%	87.5%	4.8%		7.7%
Maori Party	1%	90.3%	7.6%	2.1%
National Party	32.5%	63.6%	22.5%	8.4%	3.5%	1.7%	0.2%
New Zealand First Party	4.5%	77.1%	11%	3.9%	7.2%	0.7%	0.2%
Other party	0.5%	90.2%	8%			1.8%
United Future	0.6%	57.8%	8.8%	19%	8.4%		6%
Was not eligible to vote	6.1%	71.9%	24.5%	1.7%			1.9%

For further detailed results on this issue, including analysis by 55 main retail brands and supermarket outlets, please contact Grant McInman, Manager, Horizon Research: e-mail gmcinman@horizonresearch.co.nz. Telephone +64 21 076 2040