Peter Dinklage Joins Cruelty Free International to Call for US ban on Animal Tests for Cosmetics

Peter Dinklage is photographed for Cruelty Free International, sending an appeal across the U.S. to support the global organization committed to ending cosmetic tests on animals

BOSTON, April 11, 2013 /CNW/ - Following Europe's cosmetics animal test ban in March, Emmy and Golden Globe award winning actor Peter Dinklage has become an ambassador for Cruelty Free International to call for an end to cosmetics tests on animals in the USA, as part of the non-profit's mission to end product testing on animals worldwide.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130411/607727 )

Peter Dinklage, known for his show-stealing role as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones states: "I am so pleased to support Cruelty Free International and be part of the global campaign to end cosmetics tests on animals. It is unacceptable that animals continue to suffer around the world, including the United States of America, for the sake of beauty. I appeal to the USA to follow the European Union's lead and end animal testing for cosmetics."

Peter posed in a Cruelty Free International t-shirt to raise awareness of the continued cruel use of animals to test everyday beauty products and toiletries from soap to toothpaste. http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/_assets/images/uploads/pd1.jpg

Peter Dinklage joins Cruelty Free International celebrity supporters Joss Stone and Global Ambassador Ricky Gervais, who starred in a video launching the global organization last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYW-ZrOsZIE.

Animal tests involve rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats who can be injected, gassed, force-fed and killed for cosmetics. Animal tests for new cosmetics are now banned in the European Union and in March, new animal tests for every cosmetic product to be sold in Europe were also brought to an end. This significant historical milestone was achieved after over twenty years of campaigning by Cruelty Free International's founding organization, the BUAV.

Peter Dinklage and Cruelty Free International are joining forces to bring about a ban in the U.S., following Europe's lead and moving the U.S. off the global list of countries that still allow animals to be used in painful and fatal test to develop beauty products.

Cruelty Free International Chief Executive, Michelle Thew, stated: "I am thrilled that Peter Dinklage is standing with us to end painful and outdated animal tests that are still legal for beauty products on sale in the USA. The Food and Drug Administration must follow Europe's lead and do the right thing for animals and consumers by mandating non-animal methods for cosmetics immediately. Please take action by supporting Cruelty Free International in our call to the FDA to ban animal tests for cosmetics, and look for cruelty-free products marked with the Leaping Bunny."

Cruelty Free International works with governments, regulators, companies and partner organizations worldwide and has placed the issue of animal testing on the agenda of many governments for the very first time as part of a global strategy to tackle product testing on animals. With offices in London, Boston and Singapore, Cruelty Free International is applying its determination and vision on a global stage to repeat its success in Europe worldwide.

Established by the BUAV with corporate headquarters in London, UK, Cruelty Free International has partnered with NEAVS (the New England Anti-Vivisection Society, a  U.S. national 501 (c) 3 not for profit based in Boston, MA) to launch the U.S. Cruelty Free International office.  Dr. Theodora Capaldo, Ed.D., President of NEAVS, will be representing this effort in the U.S. as the Cruelty Free International U.S. Executive Officer. This brings together two of the world's longest standing and most respected animal protection organizations in a united effort.

Website: http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/en/around-the-world/usa

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CrueltyFreeIntl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CrueltyFreeInternational

A picture accompanying this release is available in the AP PhotoExpress feed using ref# PRN5

SOURCE: Cruelty Free International

Fleur Dawes [email protected] [phone] / [phone]