§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the code of practice on the welfare of xenotransplantation source animals; what groups, companies and individuals he has consulted on this code; and if he will make a statement. [62427]
§ Mr. George HowarthI cannot give a date for publication at this time. Work on the code is progressing, but it can be finalised only once we have received confirmation—from the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA)—of the health status requirements for animals intended for clinical use. Home Office officials met members of the UKXIRA biosecurity steering group on 26 November to discuss these matters.
Officials have also consulted with the Department of Health, the British Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association, the Laboratory Animal Science Association, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, the British Veterinary Association, the Pig Veterinary Society and Imutran. The code must be submitted to the Animal Procedures Committee for its consideration before it is published.