Joss Stone Supports Cruelty Free International With Global Appeal to Ban Cosmetics Tests on Animals

LONDON, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Cruelty Free International is delighted to announce the support of singer-songwriter Joss Stone for its mission to end product testing on animals worldwide.  

Joss Stone states: "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."

Joss is raising awareness across the world about the continued cruel use of animals to test everyday beauty products and toiletries. She said: "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."

Incredibly over 80% of the world still allows animals to be used in cruel experiments for the sake of beauty. Despite progress with some countries and companies, animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats are routinely injected, gassed, force-fed and killed for cosmetics testing. In a global market it is important that all countries ban the practice to avoid testing simply moving around the world to those countries with no effective laws.

Cruelty Free International, the new global non-profit organization, was established in March by the BUAV, one of the world's longest standing and most respected animal protection organizations. Cruelty Free International will place 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. With offices in London, Boston and Singapore, it will work with governments, regulators, companies and partner organizations worldwide.

Cruelty Free International Chief Executive, Michelle Thew, stated: "We are thrilled to haveJoss Stoneon board and are grateful for her support in helping us withour mission for a global ban on the use of animals to test cosmetics."

Joss Stone joins Ricky Gervais, the Ambassador for Cruelty Free International, who starred in a video launching the new global organization: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYW-ZrOsZIE

Image of Joss Stone: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14307860/Joss%20Stone.jpg

Website: http://www.CrueltyFreeInternational.org

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

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

For further information: Fleur Dawes media@crueltyfreeinternational.org or +44(0)7850-510-955 or +44-(0)207-619-978.