DRAFT FOOD SUPPLEMENTS DIRECTIVE

Early day motion 1110, tabled 1 November 2000 by Brian Iddon (Labour). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes that the Draft Food Supplements Directive was broadly welcomed by United Kingdom consumers, manufacturers and retailers as a step to harmonise the European market; notes with deep concern that amendments now being promoted in Europe may undermine the provision it makes for allowing a liberal market based upon the principle of safety; further fears that uncertainty over this interpretation by the Commission and an over-cautious scientific analysis of the safety of vitamins and minerals could lead to unnecessarily low limits being set on the vitamin and mineral content of safety dietary supplements in the United Kingdom and Europe; and urges her Majesty's Government to redouble its efforts to achieve an outcome that will not disadvantage millions of consumers, damage the economic prospects of the natural health product industry and undermine public health.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 10, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 1.