Brussels, 25 January 2008

Euro Coop welcomes the opportunity provided by this consultation to comment on EFSA's draft scientific opinion on animal cloning for food purposes.

Unfortunately Euro Coop's contribution will be limited due to the strictly scientific nature of comments expected by the EFSA. The Authority has indeed has clearly expressed its wish to receive science-focussed feedback, instead of general viewpoints on cloning, addressing socio-cultural, economic, ethical etc. considerations, considered to be outside the remit of the Authority.

Euro Coop very much hopes to have further opportunities to express its concerns about the cloning technology in the fields outside the scope of the present consultation, and that the latter will be given full weight in the political debate ahead.

Euro Coop, the European association of consumer cooperatives does not have the expertise to conduct an in-depth review and analysis of the scientific arguments put forward by EFSA. However it would like to make a few general remarks based on its long-standing experience of the food chain and of consumers' perception and acceptance of new technologies

The fundamental flaw that emerges from the study is the flagrant lack of scientific data behind it.

Throughout the report, the Authority itself acknowledges that little information on the SCNT technology is available to date, and that is for the four areas investigated. EFSA's findings, valid for cattle and pigs only, are based on a limited number of studies, which are mostly of small sample size and do not address the full natural life span of clones.

Euro Coop is deeply concerned that this undeniable knowledge gap does not prevent the Authority from rushing to conclusions and claiming that there is no difference in terms of food safety, between clones and their progeny and conventional counterparts. Euro Coop regrets that there is not even a mention of the shortage of available scientific research in the Food safety conclusions.

Euro Coop recommends the EFSA to clearly state that, given this early stage, it is impossible to draw confident conclusions; or to delay its opinion pending deeper insight and better understanding of the cloning technology.

Euro Coop also notices an imbalance between the different issues addressed in the study, as the part dedicated to the Environment is atrophied compared with others. Again there is insufficient data to measure the environmental impacts of cloning. But from the absence of information, the report, applying a simplistic and more than questionable reasoning, infers that no adverse effects are expected. Euro Coop reminds that biodiversity is at stake and that it is an issue that should not be made light of.

As a conclusion to these brief remarks, Euro Coop would like to bring to the risk assessor's attention that the given report risks conveying divergent messages to the public. Such a lack of consistency would lead to serious public confusion, undermine EFSA's credibility and tarnish its already fragile reputation.

Trust and communication with stakeholders and consumers has always been the major challenge for EFSA since its creation five years ago. Euro Coop advises EFSA to fully measure the consequences in terms of image, if it were to publish unsubstantiated and contentious conclusions on the thorny issue of cloning.

EURO COOP is the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives, whose members are the national organisations of consumer cooperatives in 17 European countries. Created in 1957, EURO COOP today represents over 3,200 local and regional cooperatives, the members of which amount to more than 22 million consumers across Europe.

For further information, please contact:
Laura Street, Food Policy Officer, Euro Coop
Tel: +32 (0)2 285 00 74
E-mail: lstreetateurocoop.coop