HC Deb 03 February 1997 vol 289 cc513-4W
Mr. Kevin Hughes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken in response to the report of the Committee on Ethical Implications of the Emerging Technologies in the Breeding of Farm Animals. [13446]

Mrs. Browning

The Government have made significant progress in taking forward the various recommendations in this report.

In particular, the Farm Animal Welfare Council has already agreed to adopt the general principles set out in the report and has also established arrangements for liaison with the Animal Procedures Committee.

MAFF holds annual meetings on the need to conserve farm animal breeds, maintains a register of breeds and supports research on animal biodiversity. The Government are continuing to support internationally harmonised controls on genetically modified organisms and efforts to achieve an acceptable EU patents directive.

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