EU bans cloned animals for food

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BRUSSELS, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- A temporary ban on animal cloning for food production in the European Union is a practical way to address concerns, an EU commissioner said.

The European Commission announced it placed a temporary ban on animal cloning for food production and a temporary ban on using cloned farm animals and the marketing of food from clones.

John Dalli, the European commissioner on health and consumer policy, said the temporary ban was the best way to address concerns about animal welfare.

"I believe that the temporary suspension constitutes a realistic and feasible solution to respond to the present welfare concerns," he said in a statement.

The cloning of animals not used for food isn't included under the temporary ban. The European community added that there was no scientific evidence that suggests there are food safety concerns from products made from cloned animals or their offspring.

The temporary measure will be reviewed in five years, the European Commission said.

Denmark is the only member of the European Union with a national ban on food and other commercial goods made from cloned animals.