Skip to main content
Alex Chalk QC MP
for Cheltenham

Main navigation

  • About Alex
  • Contact Alex
  • Latest News & Columns
  • e-UPDATE
  • Campaign Responses
  • Trips to Parliament
Alex Chalk QC MP
for Cheltenham

Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill

  • Tweet

Animal welfare matters to me. By way of background, I was one of a group of backbenchers that campaigned to increase the penalties for people who abuse animals from six months in prison to five years. I also spoke out in favour of a ban on the ivory trade, later announced by the Government. These two measures alone were hailed by the RSPCA at the time as representing “a fortnight of incredible news for animal welfare in the UK”.

The Government is committed to maintaining our world-leading animal welfare standards, as evidenced by the series of ambitious reforms outlined in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. Building on the Action Plan, the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill will introduce some of the world’s strongest protections for pets, livestock and kept wild animals. I look forward to supporting the Bill as it makes its way through Parliament.

With regard to the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill, Ministers recognise that there is a need to safeguard animal welfare, which is why the Government is taking a step-by-step approach, creating enabling legislation for precision-bred plants in the first instance. I am assured that no changes will be made to the regulation of animals under the genetically modified organism (GMO) regime until the regulatory system outlined in the Bill is developed to safeguard animal welfare.

Further, I am aware that before marketing precision-bred animals, developers will need to provide assurances to confirm that the welfare of the animal (and its offspring) will not be adversely affected by any trait resulting from precision breeding. This will be in the form of an animal welfare declaration, with accompanying evidence. The Environment Secretary will need to be satisfied with the declaration before issuing a precision bred (PB) animal marketing authorisation, after which point a PB animal can be marketed. This process will also involve an independent scientific assessment of the declaration.

Finally, it must be noted that all animals, precision bred or otherwise, are protected by pre-existing comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or to fail to provide for its welfare.

Campaign Responses

  • April 2022
  • May 2022
  • June 2022
    • Save the Local Campaign
    • Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill
    • Nationality and Borders Bill

Alex Chalk MP for Cheltenham

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • About Alex Chalk MP
  • In Parliament
ConservativesPromoted by Laura Haley on behalf of Alex Chalk, both of 1143 Regents Court, Gloucester Business Park, GL3 4AD. In line with data protection regulations, Alex Chalk's office processes constituents’ data for policy and casework purposes under the lawful basis of public task. In instances where this lawful basis is not sufficient and explicit consent is required, a member of staff will get in touch with you to establish consent.
Copyright 2022 Alex Chalk MP for Cheltenham. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree