Using animals to test cosmetics should be stopped: Dench

London: Veteran actress Dame Judi Dench has asked officials of The European Union (EU) to ban animal testing for cosmetics sold in Europe.

EU is set to introduce legislation in 2013, outlawing the sale of products tested on laboratory animals. But it is reportedly said that the ban could be pushed back by 10 years. Dench has joined stars including Ricky Gervais, Melanie Chisholm and Sir Paul McCartney`s daughter Mary, where they signed a petition drawn up by animal rights campaigners and urged politicians not to delay the move. "Using animals to test cosmetics is cruel and should be stopped. These days there are other means of testing which do not involve animal suffering. I totally support a sales ban and urge EU politicians to keep their promise to help stop this practice by 2013," a website quoted the 76-year-old as saying. IANS