Childers welcomes Parliament vote to ban food derived from cloned animals

Issued : Wednesday 7 July, 2010

Labour MEP Nessa Childers, speaking in Strasbourg welcomed this afternoon's vote by the European Parliament to ban food derived from cloned animals, amending what is known as the EU Novel Foods Regulation.

The Leinster MEP said: "A substantial majority of cloned farm animals endure appallingly short lives destroyed by ill-health. Livestock animals are already seen as little more than commodities in many cases, and their artificial production undoubtedly compounds this view.

"According to Compassion in World Farming, around 50 per cent of cloned farm animals die either shortly before birth or a few days or weeks afterward, so the ethics of this practice is already questionable. This view has been backed by a large majority of MEPs in Strasbourg this week.

"There are clear and deep-seated ethical, animal health and welfare concerns around the rearing of cloned animals. On this basis, I welcome the decision made by MEPs today to ban the authorisation of food derived from cloned animals. This is the right thing to do on ethical and animal health and welfare grounds.

"Attention will now turn to the governments of the Members States where a different view has been taken on this subject. The matter will now go to conciliation and I would urge the democratic wish of the European Parliament as expressed in today's vote to be upheld and respected."