Animal testing: Cuddly rabbit brought in by the Greens

Green MP Mojo Mathers with Crumpet the Rabbit outside Parliament, campaigning for a ban on testing cosmetics on animals. Photo / Supplied

The Green Party has enlisted the help of a cuddly rabbit in a bid to convince Government to support a ban on testing cosmetics on animals.

Parliament is expected to vote soon on an amendment to the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill which would outlaw the testing of makeup and other cosmetics on rabbits and guinea pigs.

For Green MP Mojo Mathers' amendment to get over the line, it would need support from National.

The MP made a plea on Parliament's front lawn this morning for National to back her proposal, with the help of a rabbit named Crumpet.

"We can stop animals like Crumpet the Rabbit from having their eyes prised open and chemicals forced in," she said.

"If [National] votes against my proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, we will be the first country in the world to have had the opportunity to ban this cruel and inhumane practice and chosen not to."

New Zealand cosmetics manufacturers were already blocked from using animals to test their finished products, but Greens' amendment would mean their ingredients would also have to be free of animal testing.

The extent of testing cosmetics on animals in New Zealand was not known because companies were not required to put this information on their labels.

The practice was believed to be rare or non-existent in this country because it was likely to fall below a benefit-harm threshold.

But Greens want a ban to be written into legislation.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said Government was having a "good look" at the amendments before making a decision.

But he said it was worth noting that there was no animal testing of cosmetic products in New Zealand, "and, to the best of our knowledge, there never has been".

"We have a strong regime in New Zealand and any animal testing done [such as for medicines] has to be approved by an independent ethics committee. Any project has to show the benefits will outweigh any harm caused.

"It's also worth noting consumers already have the choice of buying products clearly marked as not tested on animals."