Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 February 2007
119 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to introduce legislation to prevent the importation of embryos from cloned animals of any description; the timeframe in relation to same; if she has no such plans, the reason she does not; the scope that exists within the EU constitutional framework to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3748/07]
View answerThe emergence of cloned animals and embryos from these animals raise issues on a number of fronts, which need to be addressed.
I have taken this matter up with the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, as it is preferable, I believe, that such issues are dealt with on a community-wide basis.
Breeding legislation relating to the trade of animals and their semen, ova and embryos within the EU and into the EU from third countries is governed through a number of legal instruments originating from the EU Commission. Currently this legislation does not specifically refer to cloned animals or their embryos.
