PROPOSED BAN ON HERBAL REMEDY KAVA KAVA

Early day motion 818, tabled 4 March 2003 by David Tredinnick (Conservative). Signed by 21 members.

That this House observes the evidence stating the Government's case on which it is proposing to ban the sale of the popular herbal remedy Kava Kava; notes that the eminent toxicologist Professor Waller of the University of Illinois has published a comprehensive review which concludes that the evidence available does not support the assertion that Kava Kava poses a risk to public health; further notes that the evidence of Professor Waller directly contradicts much of the evidence on which the MCA's proposed ban is based; recalls the Government proposal to ban high dose vitamin B6 in 1997 which was based on flawed evidence and subsequently withdrawn; and calls on the Government to publish its conclusions as to whether or not it accepts the findings in the Illinois study, and if not why not, before the Fifth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation reconvenes.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Conservative 5, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 1.