Mathers Mojo: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeMathers Mojo: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2660. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]10.MOJO MATHERS (Green) to the Minister for Primary Industries: Will he support a ban on cosmetics testing on animals?Hon JO GOODHEW (Associate Minister for Primary Industries) on behalf of theMinister for Primary Industries: Cabinet will be considering the proposed amendment from the Green Party and making a decision very soon. It is worth noting that there is no animal testing of cosmetic products in New Zealand and to the best of our knowledge there never has been. We support the intention of this amendment but we need to be sure that the wording is sound so that it does not have unintended consequences such as banning testing of ingredients that might be in medicines that New Zealanders depend upon.Mojo Mathers: I appreciate that answer. Is the Minister aware that some time ago a similar claim was made that the outdated and cruel LD50 tests were not carried out in New Zealand and that subsequent to that claim at least one animal ethics committee has approved these tests?Hon JO GOODHEW: No I am not aware of that.Mojo Mathers: I seek leave to table part of a transcript of a verbal submission to the Primary Production Committee in 1991 where Professor Gluckman says that there are no LD50 tests done in New Zealand and that they—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The document has now been described. It is probably available but as—[Interruption] The Clerk has advised and I was going to say that 1991 is a long time ago and it is difficult for members to research back that far. On that basis I will put the leave. Leave is sought to table that particular transcript. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Mojo Mathers: I seek leave to table an Official Information Act response from an animal ethics committee saying that it had approved three applications to undertake LD50 tests between 2008 and 2013—Mr SPEAKER: Order! The document has been described. Leave is now sought to table an animal ethics committee report. Is there any objection to that being tabled? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Mojo Mathers: Given that we cannot rely on assurances that particular cruel and unnecessary tests will not be approved will the Minister support a ban on animal testing of cosmetics as called for by more than 92000 people?Hon JO GOODHEW: As I have said to the member Cabinet will shortly consider the amendment and we will be doing so in light of making very sure that the wording will not have unintended consequences. In terms of the strict controls that are currently in place in New Zealand we do need an independent ethics committee. Approval is sought before any animal testing can occur. Any project must show that the benefits will outweigh any harm that is caused.Mojo Mathers: I seek leave to table the names of 92—Mr SPEAKER: Order! No I am not prepared to put that leave. It is not something that is informative for the House.Mojo Mathers: Is the Minister aware that if National votes against my amendment to ban animal testing of cosmetics we would be the first country in the world to have had the opportunity to do so and chosen not to and does he think that will be good for our international reputation?Hon JO GOODHEW: I can once again assure the member that Cabinet will very shortly consider the Green Party amendment. We will be looking to make sure that there are no unintended consequences from that but giving it careful consideration.