Bovine Embryo Transfers

HC Deb 01 February 1994 vol 236 cc634-5W

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines the Government have laid down on bovine embryo transfers.

Mr. Soames

The Bovine Embryo Collection and Transfer Regulations 1993 require that embryo transfer is carried out by either a veterinary surgeon on the register of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons—RCVS—or a member of an approved embryo transfer team which is under the control of a veterinary surgeon on the register. The RCVS has produced a code of practice for embryo collection and transfer in cattle. The code is published in the 1993 edition of the "Guide to Professional Conduct" which is sent to all those listed on the register. I have arranged for a copy of the code of practice to be placed in the Library of the House.