Sir Paul Mccartney - Paul Mccartney Launches Animal Testing Ban Initiative

The Beatles star has been a champion of animal rights for many years and now the vegetarian is taking that love of furry creatures one step further by asking fans to follow his lead and pledge their support to the Be Cruelty-Free campaign, which prohibits the testing of beauty products on rabbits, guinea-pigs and mice.

Such testing has already been outlawed in Europe and an extended ban is due to take effect in other parts of the world next year (13) so long as officials stand by their promise - and now MCCartney is putting on the pressure to make sure that they do.

He says, "The ugly truth about testing beauty products on animals is that it causes them unimaginable pain and suffering. If every cosmetic tested on rabbits or mice had a photo on the packaging showing these animals with weeping swollen eyes and inflamed skin, I believe everyone would leave cruelty on the shelf and go for the cruelty-free option instead.

"So let's stand up for those defenceless animals by supporting the Humane Society International's new Be Cruelty-Free global campaign to end animal testing of cosmetics worldwide."

A slew of other celebrities have added their names to the cause in recent months, including actresses Pamela Anderson and Alicia Silverstone.