Written question asked by William Bain (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 1 April 2011. It was answered by James Paice (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 April 2011 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Cattle: Clones

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the number of cattle which originate from a cloned parent.

Answer: It is not possible to estimate the number of cattle that are descendants of clones either in the UK or elsewhere. There is no requirement to identify whether semen, embryos, or animals themselves are derived from clones or from animals with clones in their ancestry. A requirement to identify all descendants of clones worldwide would be impractical and unenforceable.We are aware of a small number of immediate offspring of a clone and some further descendants on UK farms.

Secondary information