Singer Joss Stone back Cruelty Free International

UK born singer-songwriter Joss Stone is the latest celebrity to back Cruelty Free International, a new worldwide organisation set up by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV), which aims to see a ban on the testing of products on animals.

Joss Stone joins the former Office star Ricky Gervais.  Gervais is well-known for his love of animals and was recently announced the Ambassador for Cruelty Free Cosmetics.

As part of its mission, Cruelty Free International will work alongside governments, companies and other organisations and sets out to put the issue of animal testing on government agendas worldwide for the first time in a global initiative.

Commenting in a news release from Cruelty Free International Joss Stone said:

“I’m proud to support Cruelty Free International. At last someone has stepped up to the plate to take on the task of ending cosmetics tests on animals around the world.”


"Thousands of animals continue to die each year for lipstick, toothpaste, fragrance and other products, so it’s crucial that we campaign for a global ban. Cruelty Free International has taken on this challenge and I am pleased to support them, and I urge you all to do the same."

Ricky Gervais backs cruelty free campaign

The former office star Ricky Gervais is giving his backing to a new campaign which hopes to put a halt to the use of cruel cosmetics testing on animals.
Ricky Gervais is known for his love of animals and has often backed campaigns by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) before.  Gervais has now become the Ambassador for a new non-profit organisation established by the BUAV called Cruelty Free International.

In a video recorded in support of the campaign, Ricky Gervais says:

"I am delighted to support the launch of Cruelty Free International, the exciting global campaign to end the use of animals in product testing. Animal testing for cosmetics is still allowed in most of the world. That means thousands of animals can continue to die for the sake of a new shampoo. We urgently need a worldwide ban on this cruel and unnecessary suffering.”

“It's time to close the door on testing products on animals. Get involved. Please join me in supporting Cruelty Free International in its global mission to consign animal testing for cosmetics to the history books."

The BUAV are among other groups who have spent years campaigning to see an end to the practise of testing products on animals - something that is not a legal requirement - and the BUAV says that there are other more reliable ways of testing the safety of products before they are used.  Despite this, 80% of countries still test cosmetics on rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals.

Michelle Thew , Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International, said:

"We are delighted to receive the backing of Ricky Gervais for this exciting and dynamic organisation. The time has come for a concerted effort to finally end animal testing for cosmetics worldwide. Cruelty Free International will lead this global effort.”