§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received concerning the patenting of animals; and if she will make a statement. [3227]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 17 June 1997]: I am replying because my department has overall responsibility for intellectual property policy. My department has received one representation from Compassion in World Farming concerning a proposal from the European Commission on the patenting of biotechnological inventions. I understand that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has also received a representation from Compassion in World Farming concerning the patenting of animals.