Volume 5: Animal Health, 1989-96
6. Breeding
Embryo transfer

6.134 Embryo transfer has played a role in UK cattle breeding since the 1970s. Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET), in particular, enables a greater number of calves to be bred from a single high quality cow by transferring her embryos into several surrogate mothers. See vol. 12: Livestock Farming for descriptions of embryo transfer techniques and practices. In addition, vol. 2: Science describes the experiments that were initiated to try to determine whether embryos could transmit BSE.

6.135 We have not sought evidence about MAFF's consideration of embryo transfer policy in light of BSE. However, whilst investigations into the transmissibility of BSE via embryos were ongoing, in 1992 the EU implemented new controls on embryo trade in response to BSE. Article 1 of Commission Decision 92/290/EC stated that 'Member States shall not send to other Member States embryos of the domestic bovine species derived from females in which, at the time of sending, bovine spongiform encephalopathy is suspected or confirmed'. Article 2 required that:

1. The United Kingdom shall not send to other Member States embryos of the domestic bovine species derived from females which:

- were born before 18 July 1988,

- are the offspring of females in which bovine spongiform encephalopathy is suspected or confirmed.

1. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not apply to embryos derived from females born outside the United Kingdom and subsequently introduced into the United Kingdom after 18 July 1988.
2. The United Kingdom shall make full use of records to guarantee identification of donors and embryos. ¹