THE sale of cosmetic products tested on animals has been banned across the whole of the European Union.

While testing on animals was banned in the UK in 1997 and across the EU in 2004, products with ingredients tested on animals could still be imported from outside the EU.

We are pleased that this loophole has now been closed so that shops here will no longer be able to stock such products and shoppers can be confident that no animals have suffered when they buy cosmetics.

This latest development is a major step forward.

There is no reason in the 21st Century why products still need to be tested on animals, just to develop the latest lipstick or shampoo, particularly when there are thousands of existing cosmetic ingredients already officially recognised as safe.

Of course, this latest change does not stop testing cosmetic products on animals everywhere.

Hopefully, though, the EU ban will now lead to wider global efforts to stop this cruel and indefensible practice.

Edward McMillan-Scott, Rebecca Taylor, MEPs for Yorkshire and Humber.