§ Mr. HainTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans she has to prohibit the growing and consumption of comfrey by private individuals; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesI have no plans to prohibit the growing and consumption of comfrey. The Department has produced an information note on comfrey which we have made available widely. A copy is in the Library of the House. The leaflet advises against the use of comfrey as a vegetable and the use of comfrey root in making teas.
§ Mr. HainTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she first considered introducing a voluntary code of practice on the sale of comfrey products; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesWhen I received the advice of the independent committees—the Food Advisory Committee and the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment—I considered various options. A voluntary withdrawal of the comfrey products of most concern backed up by appropriate labelling was pursued as the course most commensurate with the risks involved.