Regulation and cross-border recognition of children born through surrogacy
8.2.2017
Question for written answer E-000886-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE)
Growing numbers of families in the EU are turning to surrogacy arrangements, however, there is still disparity between the Member States’ legal approaches to the matter. Children born through surrogacy are therefore left facing legal uncertainty and discrimination.
In a number of countries, such as Spain, children born through surrogacy are only legally recognised if a court ruling determining the parent-child relationship has been issued in the child’s country of birth. Therefore the rights of those children, together with their parents’ rights, leave entitlement and benefits, rely on them obtaining a document of that kind.
Given that the best interests of children born by surrogacy arrangements are a primary consideration for the Commission (see answer to Question E-006323/2016), as laid down in the CFREU:
- 1.Will the Commission incorporate surrogacy into EU legislation in order to recognise the rights of parents who have had children through surrogacy arrangements?
- 2.When will the Experts’ Group on the Parentage/Surrogacy Project issue its report on the feasibility of advancing these private international law issues, focusing on international surrogacy arrangements and cross-border recognition?
- 3.What measures will it take in the light of the conclusions of that report?