http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/18701809/new-move-on-animal-testing-for-party-pills/& q5 O$ X3 x& H" P; C1 e* t6 s, K
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Prime Minister John Key isn't opposing Labour's bid to ban animal testing for party pills and ACT leader John Banks is already celebrating success. Labour's Trevor Mallard on Thursday gained permission from parliament to put up an amendment to a bill that's in the pipeline which would override the Psychoactive Substances Act and ban the use of animals for testing "legal highs" to prove they're safe. The government could have blocked him, but it didn't. Mr Key says he decided earlier this week to let the amendment go through to the select committee which is working on the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill. The committee has the power to insert Mr Mallard's clause. "I certainly don't like animal testing," Mr Key told reporters. "Let's have the debate around this and hear what New Zealanders have to say." The Psychoactive Substances Act, passed last month, put strict controls on party pills but it doesn't rule out animal testing. It was a big issue with animal rights activists, who staged protest marches and rallies. Mr Banks, a fierce opponent of animal testing, thinks the ban will go through. "This is a great day for New Zealand," he said. "We can make this happen, the voice of the people will make it happen." Mr Banks, a government ally, says he hasn't been given an assurance it will support Mr Mallard's amendment. [backcolor=rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)]"But I know John Key loves his cat Moonbeam, and I know he really believes in protecting and looking after animals," he said.( U# z) ~+ x4 j z H* U
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