Cloning is a form of reproduction engineered to create genetically identical animals by bypassing the normal sexual reproductive process. There are many concerns about animal cloning:

- The cloning process is inefficient, wastes animals' lives and possess a huge potential to cause pain, suffering and distress at all stages of the cloning process.

- Farm animals are already seen by some as commodities rather than sentient beings. Cloning would compound this view, leading to less concern for animal welfare and less willingness to address welfare issues.

- The routine use of cloning would greatly reduce genetic diversity within livestock populations, increasing the chances of whole herds being wiped out by disease to which they would all be equally susceptible.

- The development of animal cloning as a method of food production is being pursued without public awareness and in spite of well-documented public concerns relating to the use of biotechnology in food production (eg GM foods).

In an opinion adopted in January 2008, the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) questioned whether cloning animals for food supply is ethically justified. The Group did not find any convincing arguments to justify food production from cloned animals and their offspring.

In July 2008, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also adopted an opinion which concluded that the health and welfare of a significant proportion of clones had been found to be adversely affected.

The European Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority (622 in favour and 32 against) on 3 September 2008 in favour of a resolution urging the European Commission to prohibit cloning of animals for food and the sale of products from cloned animals and their offspring.

The results of a Eurobarometer survey on EU citizens' opinions on cloning were published on 9 October 2008. Over 25,000 randomly selected citizens in all 27 Member States were questioned and a majority (58%) of EU citizens were not willing to accept animal cloning for food production. A majority said it was unlikely that they would buy meat or milk from cloned animals even if a trusted source stated that such products were safe to eat.

On the basis of these various opinions, the European Commission should soon be deciding whether or not to allow cloning of animals for food production. At present in Europe cloning is not a commercial practice and there is no specific regulation on the authorisation of food products from cloned animals for human consumption in the EU.

Eurogroup believes that the EU should introduce an immediate ban on the cloning of animals for food production and on the sale of imported food products from cloned animals and their offspring. Our position is clearly supported by The European Parliament resolution, an EFSA opinion, and EGE report, not to mention a majority of EU citizens.

European Union

EFSA opinion on cloning (2008)

EGE opinion (2008)

Eurobarometer survey (2008)

European Parliament Resolution (2008)

Eurogroup documents

Statement

Open letter to President Barroso (Feb 2008)

Open letter to all EU Commissioners (January 2009)