§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he had with right hon. and hon. Members prior to taking the decision to introduce restrictions on the retail sale of higher dose vitamin B6 supplements; and what plans he has to meet right hon. and hon. Members to discuss the decision prior to laying the necessary statutory instrument. [17818]
§ Mr. RookerThere was no consultation with right hon. and hon. Members prior to the Government taking the decision to introduce restrictions on the sale of dietary supplements containing vitamin B6. I have responded to each and every right hon. and hon. Member who has contacted me. Every request for a meeting has been agreed to.
§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to promote consumers' rights of access to safe vitamin, mineral and other dietary supplements of their choice,(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in the European Union and (c) elsewhere; and what plans he has to meet representatives of (i) Consumers for Health Choice and (ii) the Society for the Promotion of Nutritional Therapy to discuss these matters. [18081]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government believes that consumers' access to supplements should only be restricted where this is necessary on safety grounds. This view has been made clear in the UK's formal response to the EU Commission discussion document on the addition of vitamins and minerals to food and food supplements and in discussions on the draft Codex guidelines for supplements containing vitamins and minerals.
I have no plans to meet representatives of either Consumers for Health Choice or the Society for the Promotion for Nutritional Therapy to discuss these matters, nor have I received any request from these bodies for such meetings.