Dear editor,

THE issue of animals in medical experimentation has been grabbing more headlines in 2006 than ever before.

Despite the publicity, animals continue to suffer and die simply so companies can produce new types of lipstick and shampoo.

While a recent poll by the Ciao Group shows that 81% of Britons think it's wrong to test household products on animals, nearly a third of them have no idea that animals are still being used in this kind of outdated, often painful, and always unnecessary testing.

It's up to us as consumers to put an end to this suffering. Order a free compassionate shopping guide on 020 7700 4888 or by visiting www.buav.org.

Sean Gifford, British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection.