Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 October 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 October 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Genetic Engineering

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will appoint a royal commission on the genetic engineering of food animals.

Answer: The Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission was set up by Government in 2000 to look at social and ethical issues relating to developments in biotechnology which have implications for agriculture and the environment, and to provide strategic advice to Government. In its second report it took a strategic look at the issues associated with animals and biotechnology and investigated the regulatory system to see if it could cope with future developments in agriculture and the environment. It generally concluded that the issues facing GM and cloned animals should be considered in the same way as for animals selected through established breeding procedures.

Secondary information