RDS is obviously opposed to any form of cruelty at any time of the year. But this week is special. This week is supposedly ‘National Cruelty-Free Week’.

The largest antivivisection group in the country, the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, is entitled to run any sort of week it wishes. After all, it is opposed to all use of animals in scientific research, even where there are clear medical benefits.

But what about the other organisations involved? The Co-op claims on its website to be the only supermarket with BUAV accredited own-label ranges of cruelty free products.

But at the same time, the Co-op boasts of being the fourth largest pharmacy operator with more than 360 branches to its name. This webpage shows a child using an asthmatic inhaler and a picture of what would appear to be a laboratory environment.

This is surely confusing. The Co-op is more than happy to advertise BUAV. But then has numerous pharmacy stores with shelves stacked with all medications developed and tested on animals and shows a picture of a child using an inhaler that was developed with the help of animal research. Double standards by the Co-op? We wonder. Time for a letter to customer relations we think!