In the latest Eurobarometer survey on biotechnology, which included questions on the cloning of animals, the results make it clear that Europe’s citizens believe cloning is unsafe, unnatural and should be regulated by the EU.
Eurogroup for Animals believes these results confirm what has been argued so strongly by the European Parliament in its recent second reading of the Novel Foods Directive. The European Commission must now take action and act decisively to respect the concerns of Europe’s citizens.
"This latest survey provides even more compelling evidence that cloning of animals is not acceptable and action must be taken quickly to ensure products from cloned animals and their offspring do not enter the food chain," said Sonja Van Tichelen, Director of Eurogroup for Animals.
"This survey comes as the European Institutions are working to decide how cloning is dealt with in the EU and its results must be used to focus the debate. We reiterate our call for an immediate ban on the cloning of animals for food production, and on the sale of imported food products from cloned animals and their offspring," she concluded.
The survey also shows that Europe’s citizens believe this is a moral and ethical issue which is in line with positions already published by EU expert bodies. Eurogroup therefore calls on all European decision makers to take their responsibility seriously and ensure that the cloning of animals for food production is outlawed immediately.