Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023

12 Report by welfare advisory body

(1) This section applies where the Secretary of State refers an application for a precision bred animal marketing authorisation to the welfare advisory body.

(2) Before the end of the reporting period, the welfare advisory body must provide a report to the Secretary of State stating—

(a) whether the notifier, in making the animal welfare declaration, has had regard to—

(i) the traits identified by the notifier as precision bred traits, and

(ii) the risks identified by the notifier as risks to the health or welfare of the animal or its qualifying progeny that could reasonably be expected to result from those traits,

(b) whether the notifier has taken reasonable steps to identify those traits and risks and has made an appropriate assessment of those risks, and

(c) the reasons for its conclusions on the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).

(3) In this section, the “reporting period” means a period specified in regulations beginning with the day on which the application was referred to the body.

(4) Before the end of the reporting period, the body may by notice (“an information notice”) request the notifier to provide further information to the body.

(5) The body’s report to the Secretary of State must be accompanied by any information provided to the body as the result of an information notice.

(6) Subsections (2) and (3) are subject to regulations under section 23.

(7) Regulations under subsection (3) are subject to the negative procedure.