Appointment of Commissioner Borg May Jeopardize Animal-alternative Test Progress
Posted: November 20, 2012
Cosmetics Europe recently urged the industry to oppose the appointment of Tonio Borg as European Parliament's Health Commissioner. However, he gained backing with 386 votes in favor, 281 against and 28 abstentions, according to a Parliament announcement. His approval will be finalized in the coming days and he will then be able to take up his post.
Cosmetics Europe, formerly Colipa, released a statement on Nov. 14, 2012, urging the cosmetics industry to oppose then-prospective commissioner Borg, as "his approach regarding the Cosmetics Directive will jeopardize progress in animal welfare and undermine EU leadership in global animal welfare."
During a three-hour long hearing in the European Parliament, members questioned Borg on his positions for a number of issues. When asked whether he agreed that the March 2013 deadline for the marketing ban of animal-tested cosmetics should come into force without delays, Borg clearly stated that should he be appointed, he believes that the ban should come into place in March 2013.
According Cosmetics Europe, this commitment to conclude the introduction of the March 2013 ban without addressing the scientific reality or consumer needs is a great concern. Fabio Franchina, president of Cosmetics Europe, commented: “Our industry commitment to ending animal testing is solid and widely recognized, and we continue to invest heavily into finding viable alternatives."
Franchina continued, “[Borg's] sweeping statements threaten to remove that impetus and undermine the EU’s hard-won leadership in driving the development of alternatives to animal testing. Furthermore, it is completely incompatible with the EU’s existing Innovation 2020 strategy."