BRASILIA—Humane Society International applauds the members of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Minas Gerais (ALMG) for overturning Governor Fernando Pimentel’s veto on bill 2844/2015 banning cosmetics animal testing, making the state of Minas Gerais the latest in Brazil to join the global #BeCrueltyFree campaign movement.

Assembly Member Durval Ângelo, leader of the government bloc in the ALMG, defended a report in favour of overturning the veto, quoting his “objection of conscience” and his personal commitment to human and animal rights to oppose the Governor’s decision.

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The other states that have banned these tests are São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Amazonas, Pará and Rio de Janeiro. Authored by Assembly Member Noraldino Júnior, the bill received the support of HIS, the Movimento Mineiro pelos Direitos Animais (MMDA) and the National Forum for the Protection and Defense of Animals (FNPDA) throughout its course in the Assembly.

Helder Constantino, Be Cruelty-Free campaigner for HSI, said: “We are thankful to all assembly members who collectively confirmed bill 2844/2015. The Governor relied on outdated information to veto this progressive bill. HSI and the MMDA worked for weeks to present Assembly Members with reliable information about the benefits of this legislation for the animals, science and consumers. Our campaign, combined with intense public pressure and the tireless efforts of Assembly Member Noraldino Júnior and his cabinet, have convinced the Assembly. It’s a great day for the animals!”

Adriana Araújo from the MMDA said: “We thank the assembly members who supported a prohibition on these cruel cosmetic tests on animals, putting the State of Minas Gerais at the vanguard of respect for animals, together with the other states that have prohibited these immoral tests.”

Globally, cosmetic tests on animals have been banned in 37 countries, including the whole of the European Union, Israel, India, Norway, Switzerland, Taiwan, New Zealand and Guatemala. Similar legislation is being debated in the United States, Canada, Australia, Chile, South Africa and elsewhere. Take action and donate to help animals worldwide.

Contact: Antoniana Ottoni, aottoni@hsi.org, (61) 98140 3636