The EU Novel Foods Regulation 2015/2283 remains the EU legislation covering animal cloning.   Under the Novel Foods Regulation, food “produced from non-traditional breeding techniques”  – but not from their offspring – requires a pre-market authorization before it can be imported or sold in the EU.

Legislative proposals on animal cloning

On December 18, 2013, the Commission announced three legislative proposals: 1) a proposal on the cloning of animals of the bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine and equine species kept and reproduced for farming purpose; 2) a proposal on the placing on the market of food from animal clones; and 3) a new proposed regulation for novel foods (adopted in 2015).

Timeline

– In January 2020, the new Von der Leyen Commission withdrew both animal cloning proposals from the Commission work plan.

– On January 15, 2016, the European Commission feasibility study on labeling of food from animal clones and offspring was published.

–  On September 8, 2015,  the European Parliament adopted its first reading position in plenary.

–  On June 25, 2015, the joint ENVI and AGRI Committees adopted their report amending the Commission proposals.

–  December 18, 2013: Commission proposals on animal cloning for food production were published.

– Public consultation closed on September 3, 2012

– July 2012: Update of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) scientific opinion