Council bans animal-tested items

It is aimed in particular at cleaning products, cosmetics and toiletries, such as soaps and bleach.

The initiative also covers office products such as adhesives, correction fluid and ink cartridges.

The council said it believed it was one of the first in the country to set up such a policy.

Councillor Carlym Sandringham, who chaired the group which developed the policy, said: "The claim that animal testing gives a reliable indication of the safety to humans of chemicals, products and their applications, is increasingly being challenged.

'Extremely pleased'

"There are very sophisticated alternative non-animal research techniques available today, and these can be cheaper and quicker, as well as offering more reliable results.

"And more importantly, the policy is going to have a beneficial effect on animals."

The policy was developed with the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, it is believed to be the first of its kind.

Its campaigns director, Alistair Currie, said: "We are extremely pleased that Leicester has taken these steps towards eliminating animal tested products, and as far as I am aware, they are the first authority to do so.

"We will be assisting the council in this work in any way we can."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Leicester City Council
Ethics: Animal Rights
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites