In a stunning decision, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved meat and milk from cloned animals for human consumption on Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

We’re beside ourselves — twice over! Here’s the most diplomatic way we can express our thoughts:

Ben & Jerry’s believes this is not the right decision at this time, given the broad range of concerns about cloning technology voiced by citizens, consumers, scientists, farmers and animal welfare advocates.

Ben & Jerry’s is committed to working with our suppliers to ensure that the milk and cream that goes into our ice cream does not come from cloned cows or their offspring.

As always, Ben & Jerry’s intends to tell consumers exactly what’s in our ice cream and other products through truthful labels, and we are actively working on a way to let consumers know our position on clones on our product packaging.

We call on Congress to overturn the FDA ruling until, at a minimum, additional studies can be completed on the implications to public health; the potential economic effects on domestic and export markets for dairy products; and the impacts on animal welfare relative to cloned animals entering the nation's food supply.

While the FDA is saying it’s OK to send in the clones, Ben & Jerry’s still believes every cow has a right to be herself.

To learn more about this issue, please visit our friends at the Center for Food Safety.