§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation period was permitted for consumers and users of comfrey tablets and capsules to assess the relevant toxicological reports, prior to the withdrawal of these products.
§ Mr. SoamesMy hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, the hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean), announced in March 1991 that the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment and the Food Advisory Committee would undertake a review of various herbal ingredients including comfrey. During the course of the COT's review of the toxicity of comfrey a number of organisations, including the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, made submissions to this Department and the Department of Health. The advice from both committees to me on the completion of their reviews was unequivocal. I could not, therefore, allow a further period for consultation before acting to secure the withdrawal of those comfrey products containing the highest concentrations of toxic alkaloids.