05/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a highly critical press release with regard to the conclusions of the Health Council's conclusions on the directive concerning safety and quality standards for human cells and tissues (see Europe of 3 June, p.10), CDU MEP Peter Liese said he was very disappointed with the ministers. He explained that although all the European Parliament's requests were supported by most Member States, they had been rejected by the ministers. He warned that the directive would not come into force in this way, criticising the ministers for largely ignoring the amendments tabled by the EP in April 2003. Liese explained that the important issues for the European Parliament were voluntary and free donations (although there was “slightly less of a majority” on this issue), a ban on the use of cloned embryos and embryos obtained by cloning.