Vitamin B6 (Hansard, 21 April 1998)

§ Mr. Tredinnick
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his draft Statutory Instrument on the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplement has been passed for comment to(a) the European Commission and (b) other member states of the European Union. [38887]

§ Mr. Rooker
A copy of the draft regulations required to implement the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 was sent to the European Commission on 3 April. It is the responsibility of the Commission to inform other member states of the European Union of the notification.

§ Mr. Tredinnick
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the United States Government concerning freedom of trade as regards his proposed restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements. [38883]

§ Mr. Rooker
Officials in the Department of Trade and Industry have received one letter from the Office of the United States Trade Representative which, among other things, notes that the Government's proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 would have implications for US trade in this product. The Government have also received a representation on this subject from two United States senators.
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§ Mr. Tredinnick
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with(a) the American National Academy of Science and (b) representatives of the United States Government about the Academy's current investigation into the safety of vitamin B6. [38886]

§ Mr. Rooker
I am aware that the United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has been undertaking a review of dietary reference intakes for B vitamins, including vitamin B6, but I have not had any discussions on this matter with either the NAS or with representatives of the United States Government. However, officials in the Department of Trade and Industry have confirmed in correspondence with the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington that if further data on the safety of vitamin B6 were to become available during the current consultation exercise on the draft regulations required to implement the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6, it will be taken into account by the Government.