Answer Key

Animal test ban

The European parliament has agreed with EU member states to ban the   [use] of animals for cosmetics testing by 2009. Thursday's agreement will also include a ban on the import and marketing of cosmetic products that have used animal experiments in their manufacture. The   [deal] came after 12 hours of talks which hinged on the  [timing] of the ban and whether the EU trading bloc would be in   [breach] of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules if it tried to ban imports, opening itself   [up] to legal challenge. An EU directive on the move has yet to be formally rubber-stamped by the European Parliament and the 15 member states.

Many cosmetics, from hand creams to lipsticks and perfumes, are tested for a wide range of side  [effects] . Some tests can be done in test tubes, but scientists often use animals to check for dangers such as cancer or allergic reaction. "The ban on animal testing will come   [into] force from 2009 and   [put] an end to the use of animals in testing of cosmetic products, but without jeopardizing consumer safety," the Danish EU presidency said in a statement. "Alternative ways of testing may be developed in the transition period to replace animal testing," it said.

Danish Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt was quoted by Reuters as saying: "The ban on testing of cosmetic products on animals within the EU is in itself a great win for animal welfare. "But to prevent import into the community of products that are tested in third countries, it was also very important that agreement was   [reached] on the ban on marketing." Schmidt said the period before the ban takes effect should be used by all parties – industry, governments and research institutions – to find alternative testing methods, although those who   [currently] use particularly difficult tests have until 2013.