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Ecover loses green backing over 'animal tests' on a 0.2mm flea
Last updated at 21:52pm on 11.08.07The world's biggest supplier of environmentally friendly cleaning products is embroiled in a bizarre row over 'animal-testing' - on tiny water fleas.
Products by Ecover, which the company says are not tested on animals, carry the prized Vegan Society mark.
They fill shelves of British supermarkets and help the Belgian-based firm achieve a £30million annual turnover.
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Not an animal?: Ecvoer is embroiled in row over with the Vegan Society over 'animal-testing' on tiny water fleas
But the Vegan Society is to refuse permission for its trademark to be used when the endorsement comes up for renewal later this month.
The move follows a tip-off that Ecover uses the water fleas - between 0.2mm and 5mm long - to test the effects of detergents on aquatic life.
According to Ecover, the microscopic crustacean - scientific name Daphnia - found in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, isn't actually an animal.
Certainly it's not covered by EU animal-testing rules which are limited to vertebrates past a specified embryonic stage.
But the Vegan Society members consider water fleas - named for their jumping style of swimming - as "part of the animal kingdom".
Chief executive Nigel Winter said: "We have mutually agreed with Ecover to withdraw our registration because they are not meeting our criteria."
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Products by Ecover is set to be stripped of its prized Vegan Society mark
In correspondence with the Vegan Society, Ecover, which has won a string of awards for its ethical values, said it used water fleas in toxicity testing as "there are no alternative tests that will more accurately measure the impact of cleaning products on the aquatic environment."
The firm also admitted taking blood from farmed rabbits for tests.
The Vegan Society says it should come from human volunteers.
Ecover responded by saying: "Given the shortage of human blood cells, we believe this would be unethical."
The Ecover statement added: "Ecover respects the values of the Vegan Society and its members.
"Yet, as part of the company's core values, Ecover owes its customers transparency.
"Thus, our organisations have mutually decided to disagree on these points of principle and, consequently, Ecover shall no longer carry the Vegan trademark."
Reader views (5)
I consider myself a strong environmentalist, wildlife conservationist and believe in animal rights to a point. The Vegan Society goes way off the deep end. These irrational extremists want to put a stop to science.
I hope to have a series of meetings with Sir Paul in the future to try to get him to moderate. As John Lennon and Bob Dylan have a lot to say about moderating. I don't have time to type the exact quotes right now.
- Jordan Hal Mosman, Sunrise, FL
I applaud the Vegan Society; I get fed up of being misled by products when looking for cruelty free ones. I don't agree with the five year rolling rule for testing. Why can't companies agree to a cut off date for testing and stick to it. How many new ingredients do they need? It's like saying the products they supplied before were no good if they've got to improve them!
Sue Fletcher UK
- Mrs S M Fletcher, Nottingham, England
Tweedly dee fellow fringers. The Vegan Society will most likely cease to be relevant within a relatively short time span. Given their rigidity it is unlikely that many companies will seek their endorsement and a more moderate organization will fill the void. Becoming a vegan is a lot less attractive option when they appear to be raving mad reactionaries.
- Andyshep, Minneapolis, USA
Vegans and others who abhor experiments on living creatures have helped Ecover reach its current level of market success. The least the company can now do for these loyal customers is admit that the flea tests and rabbit blood tests are actually incompatible with their ethical claims. Those who supported Ecover up to now must feel somewhat betrayed at these revelations. Hopefully the company will live up to its valuable reputation and use alternative tests.
- Anon, UK
Good on The Vegan Society for sticking to its principles in the face of Ecover's hypocrisy!
- Patricia Tricker, Bedale, UK
