Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2010-09-08-Speech-3-449"
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"en.20100908.19.3-449"2
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"Mr President, the discussion we have had this evening clearly demonstrates how sensitive this issue is. We debated it recently, are still debating it this evening, and will debate it once again when you present your communication on this issue, Commissioner. However, I believe that a very rigorous approach should be adopted when dealing with such a sensitive issue as products from cloned animals in the food chain.
I have heard a great deal said about the risks to health. I should just like to point out that our present position is based on that of the European Food Safety Authority, which says that there is currently nothing to indicate that products derived from cloned animals or their offspring pose any new or additional health or environmental risks when compared with conventionally bred animals.
We must therefore err on the side of caution. Let us not automatically come down on one side or the other before we are genuinely in possession of all the scientific facts. We must be careful not to adopt a defensive position or, worse, an entrenched position on an issue which is so complex – as our discussions have so clearly shown – and which deserves thorough examination, in particular, with regard to international trade rules.
In reality, Commissioner, you were right when you said that the risk in Europe is limited. We have a conventional livestock farming industry that is certainly sufficient. What happens, though, when farmers import semen that may come from the US and be obtained from cloned animals? Here, too, we need every possible safeguard so as to ensure that the World Trade Organisation rules are being complied with and that there are no opportunities to create conditions of unfair competition. Our farmers are waiting for such responses, and ultimately, they are the ones who are in difficulty today.
I agree with my fellow Members when they tell us that consumers definitely do not wish to consume meat obtained from these animals. However, I have no doubt at all about Commissioner Dalli’s desire to shed light on this issue and to respond to the many questions that remain unanswered today. I already have every confidence in what Commissioner Dalli may say to us, and I await his report.
EU consumers must know what they are eating, and traceability is crucial. If we are to ensure this, however, we need a rigorous scientific analysis that will enable us to take informed action, so that we can find a suitable solution to the issue of importing food from cloned animals and their offspring into the food chain.
This is why I will wait for Commissioner Dalli’s communication, scheduled for November, before making my decision."@en1
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