Vanessa-Mae Launches Cruelty Free International as New Global Ambassador

LONDON, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

International superstar violinist, Vanessa-Mae, has announced her new role as global ambassador to the world's leading organisation campaigning to end animal experiments. The launch of Cruelty Free International took place today at a news conference in London and was attended by Vanessa-Mae who spoke passionately about her commitment to ending animal suffering.      

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     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150601/747597 )

Vanessa-Mae stated: "As the new global ambassador for Cruelty Free International, I am dedicated to using my passion to stand up for animals in laboratories. It is heart-breaking that over 100 million animals suffer and die in experiments around the world every year. But we can make the difference. Please join me in calling on the world's leaders to have the courage to do the right thing for animals. Together, we can make the world cruelty free."

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive stated: "Cruelty Free International is delighted to welcome Vanessa-Mae as our global ambassador. We estimate that on average at least 115 million animals are used and killed in experiments worldwide every year so the need for a global organisation working solely on this issue has never been greater."

Cruelty Free International is widely respected as an authority on animal testing and combines award-winning campaigning, political lobbying, pioneering investigations, scientific and legal expertise and corporate responsibility to be the voice for animals in laboratories across the globe. The organisation's remit includes exposing the reality of life for animals in laboratories, challenging decision-makers to make a positive difference for animals, and championing better science and cruelty free living.

June 1^st marks the coming together of BUAV and Cruelty Free International under one name to increase our reach to be the voice for animals in laboratories worldwide. The BUAV is one of the world's oldest animal protection organisations. With a history rooted in the early social justice movement, the organisation was established in the UK in 1898 by women's rights campaigner and philanthropist, Frances Power Cobbe.

During its 117 year history, the organisation has successfully campaigned to:

• Ban animal testing for new cosmetics and those sold in the UK and the EU.  Since 2013, its global campaign to end cosmetics tests on animals is rapidly gaining momentum.
• Launch the Leaping Bunny programme - the internationally recognised no animal testing certification for cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products - which certifies leading household names including Marks & Spencer, The Co-operative, Waitrose, Superdrug and over 600 other companies.
• Ban the cruel LD50 oral toxicity tests in the UK, in which animals could be force fed chemicals until 50% of them died.
• Ban the use of wild-caught monkeys in UK laboratories. The organisation has been instrumental in exposing the international trade in primates for research.
• Save thousands of animals from testing under REACH, Europe's chemical testing regime.
• Inspire generations of politicians, decision-makers and compassionate people to make a difference for animals in experiments.  

Contact: Martin Mallon, media@crueltyfreeinternational.org / +44-(0)7557-868705 http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org