WRITTEN QUESTION E-2099/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Cloning of farm animals for commercial use and insufficient animal welfare legislation

1. Is the Commission aware of the report in the New Scientist of 19 May 2001 concerning the cloning of prize farm animals? Is it aware that in the United States, cloning companies are making multiple copies of top pedigree cows and bulls, and that prize breeding animals can be cloned, in some cases, for less than half the price of buying one produced by traditional methods?

2. Is the Commission aware that, in the opinion of numerous experts, it is vital that controlled farm trials of cattle cloning for food production are carried out before any commercial production is allowed?

3. Is the Commission further aware of the dangers accompanying the loss of genetic diversity which would result from the creation of herds of cloned cattle, with unforeseeable results in terms of illness and consequent increases in unnecessary suffering, as well as adverse commercial effects for farmers?

Is it aware of the fact that, for every apparently viable and healthy cloned animal, large numbers are stillborn or develop deformities, and that even those cloned animals which appear healthy may not be so, given the insufficiency of research and experience in this area?

4. Is the Commission aware of the article, published in the journal Theriogenology (vol 51, p. 1451) and referred to in the above New Scientist article, which gives details of numerous failed cloning attempts which resulted in badly deformed and sick animals?

5. Does the Commission agree that, under the circumstances mentioned above, the protection provided (to consumers) by the Novel Foods Directive and that provided (to animals) by existing animal welfare legislation are insufficient?

6. Does the Commission agree that the process of cloning as referred to in this question should be confined to experimental laboratories operating under the strictest conditions and that its products should be excluded form the commercial market until we know all the consequences? Does the Commission agree that a new directive is necessary to this effect?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 2001)

The protection of farm animals is a priority for the Commission.

The Commission is indeed aware of progress in cloning technology as applied to farm animals, and the potential significance of such technology both from the point of view of the welfare of farm animals, and consumer considerations, as well as the possible future effects on the economics of animal selection.

In particular, it is well known that at the current stage of the development of this technology the risks of failure, and of suffering to the animals should they survive to birth, are still high.

In its opinion No 9 on the ethical aspects of cloning techniques published on 28 May 1997, the European Group on Ethics says that:

cloning of farm animals may prove to be of medical and agricultural as well as economic benefit. It is acceptable only when the aims and methods are ethically justified and when it is carried out under ethical conditions including: the duty to avoid or minimize animal suffering since unjustified or disproportionate suffering is unacceptable

The Group stipulates also that attention should be paid to the need to preserve genetic diversity in farm animal stocks as well as the public's right to protection against risks and to adequate information.

Cloning when done for scientific purposes falls within the scope of Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes(1). The Directive is scheduled for a revision during which specific welfare problems resulting from cloning will be taken into consideration.

Community rules already exist in respect of the protection of animals on farms, during transport and at the time of slaughtering. These rules are regularly reviewed. Furthermore a number of significant new initiatives, which will improve current measures, are already under discussion or planned. The Community is also party to the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes and to the European Convention for the protection of animals at slaughterhouses.

In particular, Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998, concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes(2) provides that no animal shall be kept for farming purposes unless it can reasonably be expected, on the basis of its genotype or phenotype, that it can be kept without detrimental effect on its health and welfare. In addition it is also provided that breeding or breeding procedures which cause or are likely to cause suffering or injury to any of the animals concerned must not be practiced.

In addition to animal welfare provisions, Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997, concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients(3) provides for the protection of consumer health. Novel foods and novel food ingredients may not be placed on the market unless they are authorised. Pursuant to Article 1.2 (f) foods and food ingredients to which a new production process will be applied, are subject to a full safety assessment, if their nutritional value, metabolism or the level undesirable substances is affected.

(1) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986.

(2) OJ L 221, 8.8.1998.

(3) OJ L 43, 14.2.1997.